Tragedy in Ahoada as Two Siblings Drown in Boat Mishap
Tragedy struck on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Ahoada Town, in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State where two siblings, Mekalachi Gogochuri, 25, and Rejoice Gogochuri, 23, lost their lives after a boat conveying them capsized on the Aliya (Overhead Bridge) River.
Kristina Reports findings indicate that the incident reportedly occurred at about 7:45pm while the victims and five other passengers were travelling by boat to their destination.
The victims’ elder brother, Abraham Gogochuri, told newsmen that his now demised siblings were returning home from work when the unfortunate incident occurred.
“They were coming back from work, and there is a route we normally take to our house at Aliya (Over Bridge), Ahoada, in Ahoada East Local Government Area. A construction company is working there, so they boarded a boat to cross the river, but the boat capsized and two of them drowned,” he said.
According to him, there were about seven passengers on board, but only the two siblings lost their lives.
“Although there were about seven people in the boat, 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 death,” he added.
Describing the vessel, Abraham said it was an ordinary canoe that was already leaking before the journey.
“It was just a normal canoe paddled by hand. We are blaming the company handling the construction work because they failed to provide adequate facilities, including strong and durable boats and life jackets.”
“The boat they boarded was seriously leaking. They had covered parts of it with wrappers to reduce the leakage, but these boats have been in poor condition for a long time.”
He disclosed that officers of the Ahoada Police Division visited the family on Sunday as part of an investigation into the incident.
He further lamented that a previously constructed monkey bridge in the area had collapsed and had not been rebuilt, forcing residents to rely on unsafe boats for transportation.
“There was a monkey bridge constructed before now, but it collapsed, and up till today nothing has been done to reconstruct it. That is what has forced people to use these boats.
“I am calling on the appropriate authorities to investigate why there was no safer alternative route for residents travelling to Aliya (Over Bridge). We want justice for my late brother and sister,” he said.
