No fewer than 10 people are feared dead after a protest against a vessel belonging to an indigenous oil company turned tragic at Kula community in Rivers State, following an alleged collision involving a community boat and a Nigerian Army gunboat.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning when members of the community took to the water in a boat to protest against the oil company’s vessel.

A community leader, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, disclosed this in a telephone interview with journalists in Port Harcourt.

Sara-Igbe, a former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), alleged that a gunboat belonging to the Nigerian Army hit the protesters’ boat, causing some of its occupants to drown.

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He said efforts were ongoing to recover the remains of those who drowned during the incident.

The circumstances that led to the protest, the identities of the victims and the precise sequence of events surrounding the alleged collision were not immediately clear.

The Nigerian Army’s response to the allegation was also not immediately available as of the time of filing this report.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of two persons in a road crash involving a fully loaded tipper truck and a Mercedes-Benz car along the Kano-Zaria Road at Dangi Underpass.

The fatal crash occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and involved a Howo tipper truck with registration number RMG 332 XA, loaded with bitumen, and a Mercedes-Benz C180 with registration number ABJ 783 GB.

According to a statement signed by the FRSC Kano Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, four male adults were involved in the crash, with two confirmed dead.

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Preliminary reports indicated that the crash was caused by brake failure in the loaded tipper truck, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.

The truck reportedly slid backwards and collided with the Mercedes-Benz behind it, leading to the fatal incident.

FRSC rescue personnel and other emergency responders evacuated the victims to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, the Kano Sector Commander, Corps Commander Idris Mohammed Lawal, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Lawal also urged the affected families to find the strength to bear the loss.

The Sector Commander warned motorists, transport unions, construction companies and fleet operators against neglecting regular vehicle maintenance, particularly the inspection and servicing of critical components such as braking systems and tyres.

He emphasised the importance of defensive driving, urging motorists to maintain safe following distances, remain alert to changing road conditions and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.

Lawal stressed that regular vehicle maintenance, responsible driving and strict compliance with road safety regulations remain essential to preventing avoidable road crashes and saving lives.

A call has gone to President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Ogoni Dialogue and Consultation (ODC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in ongoing discussions on the future of Ogoniland.

While making the call, the Ogoni Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (OGAPWD) also demanded disability-inclusive employment opportunities and greater participation in development programmes linked to the proposed resumption of oil production in the area.

Speaking during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, OGAPWD President-General, Baridapdoo Ngo, said dialogue on Ogoniland’s future would be incomplete without the representation of persons with disabilities.

“We are not opposed to dialogue. We are not opposed to development. We oppose exclusion, discrimination and decisions that determine our future without our participation,” he said.

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Ngo urged the ODC leadership to include nominated representatives of the association in its dialogue structures and relevant committees, stressing the need for accessible meeting venues and communication support.

He said persons with disabilities should participate meaningfully in discussions on environmental remediation, employment, security and community development rather than being invited merely for ceremonial purposes.

He pointed out that “Inclusion is not charity. Representation is not a favour. Accessibility is not a privilege. These are matters of rights, dignity and equal citizenship”.

On employment, OGAPWD expressed concern over reports that NNPC Ltd was offering 40 positions connected with Ogoni engagement under the Confidence Building Measures (CBM).

The association called on the national oil company to clarify the recruitment criteria and explain how qualified applicants with disabilities were being considered.

It demanded that at least five per cent of the 40 positions be allocated to qualified Ogoni applicants with disabilities, citing Section 29 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

OGAPWD also requested a formal meeting with NNPC Ltd and asked the company to respond to its concerns within 15 days.

The association said it supported a responsible and lawful resumption of oil production, provided the process prioritised environmental protection, transparency, public health and the rights of affected communities.

It further urged the Federal Government to address the demand for Bori State through the appropriate constitutional process, describing the issue as central to its position on Ogoni self-determination.

OGAPWD appealed to traditional rulers, political leaders, youth organisations and community stakeholders to ensure that persons with disabilities benefited from employment, skills acquisition, business support and other development initiatives.

The association urged the Federal Government, ODC and NNPC Ltd to take concrete steps to ensure that persons with disabilities were represented in decisions affecting Ogoniland’s political, economic and environmental future.

“Our message is simple: no exclusion in dialogue, no discrimination in employment, no development without inclusion,” Ngo said.