The Coalition for Cross River State Youth (COCRISY) has expressed deep sorrow over the boat mishap that claimed eight lives in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, while also commemorating the International Day of Peace.
In a statement signed by its Director General, Etem Okimba, and made available to journalists in Calabar on Monday, the group said it received with deep sorrow the news of the accident that occurred on September 6 in the Ikang axis of Bakassi.
According to the statement, two W23 speedboats collided in Cameroonian territorial waters around the Tikoro area while one of the vessels, carrying 13 Nigerian passengers, was travelling from Ikang to Cameroon. Five passengers were rescued alive with the assistance of local fishermen, while the bodies of the eight deceased were recovered and taken to Simon Beach in Ikang.
COCRISY extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, describing the incident as a painful loss to the entire Cross River community, particularly young people who frequently use the waterways for trade, family visits and daily livelihood.
The group expressed concern that preventable boat accidents continue to claim lives on inland and cross-border waterways due to inadequate safety measures, insufficient life jackets, possible overloading and limited regulatory enforcement.
It called on the Cross River State Government, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Marine Police and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the collision and make the findings public. The group also urged stronger safety enforcement on the Ikang–Cameroon route, improved search-and-rescue capacity, and support for the bereaved families.
In a separate statement issued on the same day to mark the International Day of Peace, COCRISY joined the United Nations and the global community in observing the day under the theme “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
The coalition noted that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the daily experience of safety, dignity, opportunity and cooperation. It stressed that lasting peace begins with deliberate investment in young people through quality education, meaningful employment, safe public spaces and platforms for constructive dialogue.
COCRISY called on government at all levels, traditional institutions, religious leaders, civil society, the private sector and young people to invest in youth development programmes that promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence, strengthen community dialogue mechanisms, prioritise the safety and security of citizens in riverine and border areas, and create more opportunities for youth participation in decision-making.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a culture of peace through advocacy, capacity building and grassroots engagement, urging every Cross Riverian to take one small step for peace every day.
