BAYELSA REUNITES RESCUED FISHERMEN WITH SãO TOMé ENVOY

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has formally handed over two fishermen from São Tomé and Príncipe who were rescued after drifting into Nigerian waters.

The fishermen, Pedro Mateus and Isnaic Dafonseca, were rescued by local fishermen at Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area after spending about eight days at sea.

Diri handed them over to the Chargé d’Affaires of the São Tomé Embassy, Carlos Moreno, at his country home in Sampou.

The governor said the incident demonstrated the strong relationship between Bayelsa and São Tomé and Príncipe, noting that both areas share the Gulf of Guinea and longstanding maritime connections.

He disclosed that this was the second time fishermen from the island nation had been rescued in Bayelsa, following a similar incident in Brass Local Government Area in July 2023.

Diri said the fishermen received medical attention after he directed that they be taken to Yenagoa following their rescue.

Moreno thanked the governor and the state government for the care and hospitality given to the fishermen. He revealed that the rescued men were his relatives and said the incident further strengthened the relationship between Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe.

The fishermen reportedly drifted into Nigerian waters after their GPS battery became depleted while fishing.