From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Tragedy struck again in Aba, Abia State, when five persons drowned in the Aba River at Umunkama village, Ovom Ama Asaa community, Obingwa council area of the state.
Reports from the area indicate that the victims were on their way to a funeral ceremony in Umunkama Village, Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, when their canoe capsized while attempting to cross the river.
An eyewitness account states that the wooden canoe capsized when they were halfway to the Ugwunagbo side of the river, plunging those on board into the river.
Attempts by local divers to rescue the victims were unsuccessful, as the five passengers drowned in the river.
It was gathered that the casualty figure could have been higher, as some youths who were part of the team missed the canoe.
The deceased were identified as two young men from Umuejea Village, two from Okuenyi Village in Ntighauzo, and one from Akpaa Mbato, all communities in Obingwa council area.
One of the people who missed boarding the canoe, Hon. Ogbonna Nwanmuo, said he stopped to relieve himself on the way and arrived when the canoe had left.
The Chairman of Obingwa Council, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike, who confirmed the incident, sympathised with the families of the deceased.
Speaking on the incident, the National Secretary of the Church of God Seventh Day Nigeria, who hails from the area, Evangelist Keshi Ukaegbu, called on the federal and state governments to build a bridge across the Aba River to connect the Ugwunagbo council area and protect lives and property.
He said the Epomiri and Umunkama villages across the river have been a trade route since the colonial era and urged the authorities to develop the area to promote trade and tourism.