Sao Tome & Principe Fishermen Lost In Atlantic Ocean In Bayelsa Rescued – PPRO

The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of two fishermen who had been missing for the past five days in the Atlantic Ocean.

The fishermen, Antonio Sabino, 52, and Osorio Pires, 41, of Neves, SaôTom and Principe, were lost for five days in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Portuguese-speaking fishermen were rescued by a captain of a fishing trawler at 50 nautical miles off the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The Police Spokesperson, SP Asinim Butswat confirmed the rescue of the two fishermen, stating that the Divisional Police Officer of Okpoama Division, Brass Local Government Area, has taken custody of the two fishermen.

The police have contacted a coast guard officer from Saô Tom and Principe to make necessary preparations to reunite them with their families, Bustwat disclosed.

The Chairman of Okpoama Kingdom Security Committee, Munalayefa William-Sinte, stated they were unable to verbally communicate with the fishermen due to language barrier.

William-Sinte added that the two fishermen were visibly worried but were calmed with sign language before they were handed over to the police.

He also disclosed that a fisherman from Ilaje in Ondo State, but a resident of Okpoama, has been missing for over a week, and his colleagues have been searching the ocean for days.