A routine trip home from work ended in tragedy for two siblings after a leaking canoe capsized in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, claiming their lives and raising fresh concerns over water transportation safety in the area.
Gatekeepers News reports that the victims, identified as 25-year-old Mekalachi Gogochuri and his 23-year-old sister, Rejoice Gogochuri, drowned on Saturday evening when the canoe carrying them and five other passengers overturned at Aliya (Over Bridge) in Ahoada Town.
Their elder brother, Abraham Gogochuri, said the siblings were returning home from work when the incident occurred at about 7:45 p.m.
According to him, the 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.
“They were coming back from work and boarded a boat to cross the river because that is the route to our house. The boat capsized, and my brother and sister drowned,” he said.
Abraham disclosed that although seven people were on board, only the two siblings lost their lives.
He blamed the incident on the poor condition of the canoe and the absence of basic safety measures, accusing the construction company operating in the area of failing to provide safe boats and life jackets for residents who rely on the river crossing.
“It was just an ordinary hand-paddled canoe. It had been leaking for a long time, and they even used wrappers to block some of the holes. There were no life jackets. This tragedy could have been avoided,” he lamented.
He also revealed that a monkey bridge previously used by residents had collapsed and was never rebuilt, leaving the community dependent on unsafe boats.
“There was a monkey bridge before, but it collapsed and has not been rebuilt. That is why people are risking their lives on these boats. We are calling on the authorities to investigate this incident and ensure justice for my late brother and sister,” he added.
Abraham said officers from the Ahoada Police Division visited the family on Sunday and had commenced an investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Akalaka XII, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the siblings.
In a statement issued by the palace on Monday, the monarch described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that the victims lost their lives while striving to earn an honest living.
He extended his condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Igbu Ehuda Kingdom, urging the community to remain united in the face of the tragedy while praying for strength and comfort for those affected.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Agabe Blessing Karbolo, said the boat operator had been taken into custody.
“Two persons died. The operator of the boat has been taken into custody for questioning,” she said.
