The Portuguese-speaking fishermen were allegedly saved by a trawler fishing in the Gulf of Guinea and given to Okpoama-Brass fisherman who transported them to land.

The Sao Tomeans were then driven to the Okpoama Divisional Police Headquarters, where they were welcomed by the official in charge, Chief Superintendent of Police Ebimiesigha Bebetu.

The fisherman appeared undernourished, but Munalayefa William-Sinte, the chairman of the Okpoama Kingdom Security Committee, said that before being turned over to the police, they had been fed and clothed.

He claimed that although the fishermen showed signs of fear, they were given assurances of their safety in sign language before to being taken into prison by the police.
A fisherman from Ilaje in Ondo State who lived in Okpoama, according to William-Sinte, has been gone for more than a week, and his colleagues have been combing the water for him for days.
The two fishermen from Sao Tome and Principe were saved on July 2, 2023, some 50 nautical miles off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, according to the Bayelsa State Police Command.

Asinim Butswat, the command’s spokeswoman, stated in a statement that the Divisional Police Officer, Okpoama Division, had taken control of them.