Five Young Men Drown En Route to Wake-Keeping in Abia State

A devastating tragedy struck in Abia State on Wednesday when five young men drowned after their canoe capsized while attempting to cross the Aza River.

The victims were en route to a wake-keeping ceremony in Umunkanma Village, Ugwunagbo Local Government Area (LGA), from Epomiri Village, Ovom Ama Asaa in Obingwa LGA.

According to local sources, the canoe overturned mid-crossing, plunging all onboard into the river. Despite desperate rescue efforts, all five passengers were lost to the waters.

The deceased have been identified as two young men from Umuejea Village, two from Okuenyi Village in Ward 10, and one from Akpaa Mbato in Ward 8, all communities within Obingwa LGA.

They were on their way to pay their final respects at a traditional funeral ceremony when the tragic accident occurred.

The heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the Obingwa and Ugwunagbo communities, leaving families and friends in deep mourning.

Residents and community leaders are now renewing urgent calls for government intervention to improve water transportation safety in rural parts of the state. In many such areas, including the route across the Aza River, canoes remain the only available means of crossing waterways.

“We cannot continue to lose our youth to unsafe travel conditions,” a local elder lamented. “It’s time for the government to act and provide bridges or safer transport alternatives for riverine communities.”

Source: Enyimba FM