By Kolawole Omotola Olaide
A tragic canoe accident in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State has claimed the lives of two siblings after the vessel they were travelling in reportedly capsized while crossing a river.
The victims, identified as 25-year-old Mekalachi Gogochuri and his 23-year-old sister, Rejoice Gogochuri, lost their lives on Saturday evening when the hand-paddled canoe overturned near the Aliya (Over Bridge) area of Ahoada Town.
According to the victims’ elder brother, Abraham Gogochuri, the siblings were returning home from work at about 7:45 p.m. when they boarded the canoe alongside five other passengers. Although seven people were on board, only the two siblings drowned.
Abraham alleged that the canoe was already in poor condition before the journey began, claiming it had been leaking for a long time and lacked life jackets or other essential safety equipment.
He said residents had repeatedly relied on the unsafe canoe because the monkey bridge that previously linked the community had collapsed and was never reconstructed.
“The canoe had holes that were temporarily blocked with pieces of cloth, yet it continued to be used for transportation. If proper safety measures had been in place, this tragedy might have been avoided,” he lamented.
He further appealed to the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure that safer transportation options are provided for residents who depend on the river crossing daily.
Abraham also disclosed that officers from the Ahoada Police Division visited the bereaved family on Sunday and had commenced investigations into the incident.
Reacting to the tragedy, the traditional ruler of Ekpeye Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Akalaka XII, expressed sadness over the loss of the two young lives. He described the incident as heartbreaking and extended his condolences to the Gogochuri family and the people of Igbu Ehuda Kingdom.
The monarch urged the community to remain united during the difficult period while praying for strength and comfort for the grieving family.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Agabe Blessing Karbolo, confirmed the incident, stating that the canoe operator had been taken into custody for questioning as investigations continue.
The latest tragedy has renewed concerns over the safety of water transportation in riverine communities, with residents calling for improved infrastructure, functional bridges, and stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent similar accidents.
