By Deborah Nnamdi
Two siblings have lost their lives after a leaking canoe conveying them across a river capsized in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, raising renewed concerns over the safety of water transportation in the area.
The victims, identified as 25-year-old Mekalachi Gogochuri and his 23-year-old sister, Rejoice Gogochuri, drowned on Saturday evening when the canoe overturned at Aliya (Over Bridge) in Ahoada Town. Five other passengers on board reportedly survived the incident.
Their elder brother, Abraham Gogochuri, said the siblings were returning home from work when the accident occurred at about 7:45 p.m.
According to him, the hand-paddled canoe, which serves as a major means of transportation for residents, was already leaking before the journey began and had no life jackets for passengers.
He alleged that the boat had been in poor condition for a long time, with holes temporarily sealed using wrappers, adding that the tragedy could have been avoided if proper safety measures had been in place.
Abraham also blamed the incident on the absence of a functional pedestrian bridge, explaining that residents have been forced to rely on unsafe boats since the collapse of a monkey bridge that once linked the community.
He called on relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The bereaved brother further disclosed that officers from the Ahoada Police Division visited the family on Sunday and had commenced an investigation.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Akalaka XII, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the siblings, describing the incident as heartbreaking.
In a statement issued through his palace spokesperson, the monarch sympathised with the Gogochuri family and the people of Igbu Ehuda Kingdom, urging residents to remain united while praying for comfort for those affected.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Agabe Blessing Karbolo, confirmed the incident, stating that two persons died in the boat mishap.
She added that the canoe operator has been taken into custody for questioning as investigations continue.
