The people of Kula Community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State are demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of ten members of their community in a boat capsizing incident during a confrontation over the planned recovery of the vessel, Anambra Basin FSO.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening, followed tensions over the removal of the vessel amid allegations of crude oil pollution linked to a leak that residents say has affected their community for about two years.
The protesters, who took their grievances to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, are demanding justice and warning that they may be forced to take the law into their own hands if the authorities fail to act.
Speaking on behalf of the community, former spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Anabs Sara-Igbe, alleged that six military gunboats were deployed during the operation.
He said the confrontation escalated after community members attempted to resist the exercise, resulting in a boat conveying some residents capsizing.
Beyond demanding justice for the deceased, the community is also expressing anger over what it describes as the failure of the vessel owners to provide adequate assistance or reach out to them following the tragedy.
The community insists that those responsible must be held accountable, warning that failure by the authorities to act could heighten tensions.
Responding to the protesters, the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Sunny Ewule, assured them that the state government would not treat the matter lightly.
He appealed to the community to remain calm and peaceful, urging them to allow the government and relevant authorities to address their concerns.
In a swift response, Max Shipping Services Limited, the owner of the Anambra Basin FSO and a subsidiary of the Ibeto Group, has denied allegations linking it to the incident.
In a statement dated October 21, 2026, the company acknowledged ownership of the vessel but said it was not the operator of the oilfield or the entity responsible for the underlying petroleum operations in Kula.
According to Max Shipping, the vessel was hired to Menal Technical Services Limited under a Marine Equipment Hire Agreement dated September 20, 2024, which was subsequently amended by an addendum.
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The company said Menal assumed specified contractual responsibilities relating to operational requirements, community settlements, security and demobilisation.
Max Shipping also stated that its representatives had met with community leaders on several occasions to explain its contractual relationship with Menal and seek a peaceful resolution of the issues.
As the Kula Community demands accountability and Max Shipping denies responsibility for the incident, the Rivers State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the tragedy.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the boat capsizing, the reported deaths and the confrontation that preceded the incident.
For the bereaved families and the people of Kula, the immediate concern remains the recovery of the missing bodies, a transparent investigation and justice for those who lost their lives.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
