A yet-to-be identified helicopter has reportedly opened fire on a local passenger boat travelling from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers State, resulting in fatalities.
Report says the incident occurred on Thursday evening, adding that several injured passengers in the boat were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The boat took set sail from the Bonny-Nembe waters in Port Harcourt.
A typical passenger boat
Several residents expressed shock over the incident, especially as the boat was said to have been conveying only passengers and foodstuff.
Reports quoted an unnamed source as saying: “The local boat that just left here to Bonny, within the Treasure Island area, a chopper or I will call it a flight helicopter just came behind, went very low and started shooting the wooden boat.
“From the information we got from a boat driver there were passengers in the boat. The boat also contained foodstuff like garri, rice and other items.
“Everyone knows that is the route transporting foodstuff to Bonny. Some people died from the shooting.”
Police spokesman in Rivers State, Nnamdi Omoni, could not be reached for confirmation.