Community leaders in Nigeria's oil-producing Rivers State reported at least 10 deaths and seven missing after a boat capsized during protests over an oil vessel's movement, a toll police had not established.
Rivers State Police Command spokesperson Agabe Blessing Kaborlo said the command was working to establish the casualty count and determine what happened, Anadolu Agency reported.
The capsize took place in the Robertkiri waterways in Kula Kingdom, within Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. Community leaders said residents opposed the vessel's movement amid complaints about an alleged oil spill and other grievances involving Oil Mining Lease (OML) 55.
Community leader Jonah Joshua said eight people had been rescued, while efforts to find the seven missing were continuing.
Anadolu reported that Rivers State is an oil-producing area where disputes over pollution, compensation, resource control and oil-company activity have repeatedly fueled tension.
