Lagos CP Narrates How Boatman, Passengers’ Argument Over N300 Fare Killed 12

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has narrated how hagling over the fare between a boatman, Bimbo Elebiju, and his passengers led to the death of 12 passengers.

Elebiju was said to have charged N1500 fare to convey each of the passengers from Kirikiri to.Badagry but midway into the trip the passengers were said to have said they would pay N1200.

The CP while.parading the boatman and other suspects arrested in connection with various offences said this at the police headquarters in Ikeja.

The angry helmsman was said to have turned off the boat engine and was waiting for the passengers to change their minds but that did not happen.

The commissioner of police said a big ship sailed along while the boat engine was already switched off and the waves created by the ship’s passage caused the boat to drift. The waves swept the passenger boat and it hit a barge which made it to capsize.

As the boat capsized, Elebiju was said to have jumped into the water and swam to safety but unfortunately, 12 of the 20 passengers were drowned in the water. Five passengers were rescued while three were still missing, he added.

The CP said the police went after the boatman after the rescued passengers narrated what led to the tragedy. He siad he would be charged to court soon.

The CP said, “On July 29, 2020, around 5.45pm, our marine policemen received a distress call that a commercial boat with the inscription: ‘Mount Zion Transport’, fitted with 150HP Yamaha outboard engine, which was conveying 20 passengers from Kirikiri to Badagry, drifted towards a stationary barge and capsized along the Kirikiri waterfront.

“Five passengers were rescued, while 12 corpses were recovered. Three people are still missing. The boatman, Bimbo Elebiju, jumped off the boat and swam to safety.

” Investigation revealed that the accident was deliberately caused by his act . There was an argument between the deckhand and the passengers as to the transport fare.

“Bimbo insisted on N1,500 per passenger and the passengers said they would only pay N1,200 each. Because of the N300 difference, the suspect turned off the engine on a turbulent waterfront.

” A big ship passed and stirred the water, creating a wave that made the boat to drift towards the stationary barge. The suspect was trailed to his hideout and arrested after the survivors of the accident gave the true account of what happened.”