Rivers boat crash claims two siblings, operator arrested

Two siblings, 25-year-old Mekalachi Gogochuri and his 23-year-old sister Rejoice Gogochuri, drowned after a boat carrying them and five other passengers capsized in Ahoada Town, Rivers State. The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday as the siblings were returning home from work.

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They were coming back from work and boarded a boat to cross the river to our house at Aliya (Over Bridge). A construction company is working in the area, but unfortunately, the boat capsized, and my brother and sister drowned.

Their elder brother, Abraham Gogochuri, told reporters that the victims had boarded a canoe to cross a river to their residence near a construction site. He stated that seven people were in the boat, but only the two siblings lost their lives. Abraham attributed the tragedy to the vessel's poor condition and the absence of life jackets, describing it as a leaking, hand-paddled canoe that had been patched with wrappers.

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There were about seven people in the boat, but only the two of them drowned. The boat was not in good condition, and there were no life jackets. That was what led to their deaths.

Abraham Gogochuri also blamed the construction company for failing to provide safe transportation and life jackets for residents who rely on the waterway. He noted that a collapsed "monkey bridge" had left residents with no alternative but to use the unsafe boats. He appealed to authorities to investigate the lack of safer alternatives and called for justice for his deceased siblings.

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We are blaming the construction company because it failed to provide safe boats and life jackets for residents who depend on the waterway. The canoe had been leaking for a long time, yet people had no option but to use it.

The paramount ruler of the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation, His Imperial Majesty Kelvin Ngozi, Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, expressed deep sadness over the incident. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the monarch described the siblings' deaths as a painful loss to the community and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

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There was a monkey bridge here before, but it collapsed and has not been rebuilt. That is why people now depend on these boats. We are calling on the authorities to investigate why there was no safer alternative for residents. We want justice for my late brother and sister.