The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed a boat incident in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state, amid reports that 10 people died, as community stakeholders called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The police spokesperson, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, said investigations were ongoing to establish the exact number of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of the incident in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, which reportedly resulted in the loss of lives. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the exact number of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the incident,” she said.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening amid tensions over the planned recovery of Anambra Basin FSO, a vessel owned by Max Shipping Services Limited, and a dispute involving allegations of oil pollution in the community.

Community sources said some residents had opposed the vessel’s removal over concerns about the environmental impact of a reported oil spill and demands for remediation and compensation.

Sukubo Sara-Igbe, a Kula indigene and President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, alleged that six gunboats arrived in the area during the operation.

He claimed that a boat conveying community members capsized during the confrontation, leaving several people feared dead.

“The top boat capsized the boat the community came with, and 10 lives were lost,” he said, adding that efforts were being made to recover the bodies.

He also alleged that two local security personnel were among those feared dead. However, the police had yet to establish the identities of the casualties or confirm the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A former spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, also called for an investigation, saying the community had raised concerns over the reported pollution and the vessel’s removal.

Meanwhile, Max Shipping Services Limited has denied responsibility for the incident, expressing sadness over reports of the boat capsizing and possible loss of lives.

In a statement dated October 21, 2026, the company said its involvement in the area was limited to ownership and retrieval of the vessel, which it had hired to Menal Technical Services Limited under a Marine Equipment Hire Agreement signed on September 20, 2024, and subsequently amended.

The company said Menal had assumed specified contractual responsibilities relating to operational requirements, community settlements, security and demobilisation.

Max Shipping explained that it initiated the retrieval of its equipment following prolonged outstanding hire payments and unsuccessful efforts to secure settlement.

It also said the crude oil previously stored in the vessel had been discharged before the demobilisation exercise, citing tank inspection documents issued by Checkirem and GSV Inspection Services Limited in September 2026.

According to the company, its representatives had held several meetings with community leaders to explain its contractual relationship with Menal and seek a peaceful resolution.

“We are deeply saddened by reports that a community boat capsized and that allegedly lives may have been lost,” the statement said.

The company urged the media and the public to distinguish between ownership of the vessel and the operational responsibilities of the hirer and other parties involved in activities at the oilfield.

It called on the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and establish the facts, while urging all parties to remain calm and refrain from violence.

The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the boat capsizing, determine the number of casualties and clarify the events leading to the confrontation.