Two fishermen, Antonio Sabino and Osorio Pires from Neves in Saô Tomē and Principe lost in the Atlantic Ocean for five days have been rescued in Brass Council Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
The fishermen who speak Portuguese were said to have been rescued by a trawler fishing in the Gulf of Guinea and handed over to fishermen from Okpoama-Brass who took them ashore.
The fishermen have been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Okpoama Division of the Nigeria Police Force, CSP Ebimiesigha Bebetu.
Chairman of the Okpoama Kingdom Security Committee, Chief Munalayefa William-Sinte said the highly malnourished men were clothed and fed before they were handed over to the police for necessary action.
He said the fishermen who were visibly worried were calmed with sign language before they were handed over to the police as it was impossible to communicate with them because of the language barrier.
According to Chief Sinte, a fisherman from Ilaje in Ondo State but resident in Okpoama has been missing for over a week, adding that. his colleagues have been searching the ocean for days.
In 2019, bodies of two male fishermen at an advanced stage decomposition were found in a fishing boat that drifted ashore in Okpoama from Saọ̄ Tomē and Principe.
Meanwhile the Bayelsa State Police Command said it is making concerted efforts to reunite them with their families.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Asinim Butswat in a statement contact has established with Sao Tome and Principe
“The Divisional Police Officer of Okpoama Division, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State has taken custody of two fishermen who were rescued by a Captain of a fishing trawler 50 nautical miles off the Atlantic Ocean, on 2 July 2023.
“The two fishermen, Antonio Sabino ‘m’ 52 years and Osorio Pires ‘m’ 41 years from Neves in SaôTomē and Principe got lost in the Atlantic Ocean for five days before being rescued by a Captain of a fishing trawler.
“The Police authorities have established contact with a coast guard officer from Saô Tomē and Principe and are making concerted effort to reunite them with their family.”
