The incident occurred at about 5:20am on Saturday, November 7, 2026, along the shoreline of Angalabiri Community in Sagbama Local Government Area.
The spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Mohammed, said preliminary findings indicated that a tanker belonging to Sterling Global Oil Ltd struck several canoes while navigating close to the shoreline.
According to him, the collision destroyed the canoes and left Abetnigo, who was aboard one of them, seriously injured.
She was immediately rushed to Ebedeibiri General Hospital, where a doctor later confirmed her death.
Her remains have been deposited at Ofoni Mortuary, while the police have commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a separate incident, a police officer has been confirmed dead after a passenger boat travelling from Yenagoa to Akassa capsized along the Abedigbene waterways in Brass Local Government Area on Thursday.
The boat was reportedly carrying eight passengers when it overturned. Seven occupants were rescued through a joint effort involving Nigerian Navy personnel, local divers and members of the Abedigbene fishing community.
Among those rescued were the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Ebiere Jones, and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The Police Public Relations Officer said the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Saka Adewale, expressed sadness over the two incidents and extended his condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased.
The police commissioner also commended the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, local divers, maritime union workers and members of the fishing community for their efforts in rescuing survivors.
He urged boat operators and commercial vessel owners to strictly adhere to maritime safety regulations, maintain safe distances from shorelines and canoe routes, and avoid reckless navigation to prevent further accidents.
