Three rescued in Badagry boat mishap by Marine police

Three persons on Pashi river, Badagry, Lagos State, were rescued by men of The Marine Police on Thursday when their boat capsized on July 29.

DSP Uchenna Itinyi, the Divisional Marine Officer, Badagry, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Badagry.

Itinyi said the men were coming from Cotonou, Benin Republic, and the boat was loaded with different goods when it capsized.

He said the police officers, who were on 24 hours water patrol when the incident occurred, immediately moved to the scene and rescued the passengers.

“We were able to save them before sinking, but unfortunately, we were unable to save their goods as everything went down.

“I asked them to sit down for few minutes to see if the incident had affected them, so that we could take them to the hospital for treatment.

“When I discovered that they were in good condition, I told them to write an entry and released them.

“I urged them to come back the following day to check if we would be lucky to find any of their goods,” he said.

Travelers on boat were advised to always put on life jackets.

The Marine Police according to NAN was established in 1891 in Lagos and was then known as ‘Night Water Patrol,’ with initial personnel of 12 headed by a sergeant.

It was saddled with duties such as anti-smuggling patrols, anti-piracy operations, and enforcement of ports, harbour and Shipping Acts, guards, escorts duties, surveillance and general anti-crime duties.