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.
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.
Chief Sinte said 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.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Police Command said it was making concerted efforts to reunite them with their families.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, in a statement, said contact has been 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 July 2, 2023.
“The two fishermen, Antonio Sabino, ‘m’ 52 years, and Osorio Pires, ‘m’ 41 years, from Neves in SaôTome 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 Tom and Principe and are making concerted effort to reunite them with their family.”