Five persons lost their lives on Saturday when their canoe capsized while crossing the Aba River at Umunkama village, Ovom Amasaa community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
Community sources revealed that the victims were en route to a burial ceremony in Umunkama Village, Ugwunagbo LGA, when the tragedy occurred. The village, divided by the Aba River, spans both Obingwa and Ugwunagbo council areas.
Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the wooden canoe overturned midway through the crossing, plunging all passengers into the river. Despite rescue efforts by local divers, the five victims could not be saved.
Reports indicate that the casualty count could have been higher if some youths from the burial party had not missed the ill-fated boat. The deceased were identified as two young men from Umuejea Village, two from Okuenyi Village in Ntighauzo, and one from Akpaa Mbato—all in Obingwa LGA.
Hon. Ogbonna Nwanmuo, who narrowly escaped the accident, disclosed that he arrived late after stopping to ease himself.
“I got there just as the canoe had left,” he said.
Obingwa Council Chairman, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike, confirmed the incident, expressing sympathy for the bereaved families. He pledged to visit the scene and make recommendations to the state government to prevent future occurrences.
Reacting to the tragedy, Evangelist Keshi Ukaegbu, National Secretary of the Church of God Seventh Day Nigeria and a native of the area, appealed to federal and state authorities to construct a bridge across the Aba River.
“Government should build a bridge across the river at Umunkama and Epomiri villages. Umunkama village has their kith and kin across the river in Obingwa and Ugwunagbo LGAs. We cannot continue to lose lives to avoidable deaths,” Ukaegbu stated.
He emphasized the area’s historical significance as a colonial-era trade route connecting Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, and Ukwa communities, urging infrastructure development to boost commerce and tourism.
“The area has been a trade route between the Obingwa and Ugwunagbo communities and even the Ukwa people across the river. A bridge is long overdue,” he added.
