The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the death of four persons who were on their way to attend the funeral of late Thomas Ekpemupolo, father of Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).
Police spokesperson, SP Celestina Kalu, however said the number of casualties was yet to be ascertained.
”I was regretfully informed that AW-19 boat mounted with 115 horsepower Yamaha engine capsized at Warri River.
”My patrol team rescued 11 persons; searching and investigation is ongoing.
”For your information, there is no manifest to show the number of passengers in the boat.
”So the number of deaths is not ascertained yet, the bodies will expectedly float by tomorrow,” said the Delta police spokesperson.
Africa Update gathered that the victims boarded the ill-fated speed boat at the Miller Waterside in Warri to attend the weeklong funeral which commenced on Friday.
The victims were a man and three women; two of the female victims were from Kurutie and Ogulaha communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, while the male victim, was a trader from the northern part of the country, who was on his way to sell some wares at the funeral ground.
Tompolo was absent at the burial of his father Late Ekpemupolo, who died on September 7 at Lily Clinic, Warri due to his travails bothering on alleged corruption.
