The remarkable rescue took place in the Brass council area of Bayelsa State, where the fishermen were picked up by a fishing trawler in the Gulf of Guinea. They were then handed over to the local fishermen from Okpoama, residing on the Atlantic coast of Brass, who took them ashore.
Language barriers added to the fishermen's ordeal as they could only communicate in Portuguese. However, through the use of sign language, they were able to convey their distress to the compassionate Okpoama fishermen who, in a display of solidarity, provided reassurance and comfort. Recognising the urgency of the situation, the local fishermen promptly escorted the two men to the appropriate authorities in the area.
Munalayefa William-Sinte, Chairman of the Okpoama Kingdom Security Committee, spoke about the condition of the rescued fishermen, stating that they appeared malnourished.
However, before taking any further action, the fishermen ensured that Antonio Sabino and Osorio Pires were provided with clothing and nourishment. Afterwards, they were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of Okpoama Division, CSP Ebimiesigha Bebetu, who would oversee the necessary proceedings.
The incident was officially confirmed by SP Asinim Butswat, the spokesperson for the state's police. He provided additional details, stating, "The Divisional Police Officer of Okpoama Division, Brass Local Government Area, has taken custody of two fishermen who were rescued by a captain of a fishing trawler at 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 São Tomé and Principe, got lost in the Atlantic Ocean for five days before being rescued by a trawler. The police authorities have established contact with a coast guard officer from São Tomé and Principe and are making a concerted effort to reunite them with their families."
São Tomé and Principe, an island country located in Central Africa on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. As the second-smallest and second-least populous African sovereign state after Seychelles, São Tomé maintains a unique position among its neighbouring nations, with Gabon and Equatorial Guinea serving as its closest Atlantic coast counterparts.
The successful rescue of Antonio Sabino and Osorio Pires is a testament to the courageous efforts of the fishing trawler captain and the solidarity shown by the fishermen from Okpoama. The authorities are now focused on reuniting the two men with their families, with the coast guard officer from São Tomé and Principe providing valuable assistance in this endeavour.