Three students and children of one parent simply identified as Mr Chukwuemeka of Urum-Etiti in Anam, Anambra-west local government area of Anambra state have reportedly drowned at River Niger during a Canoe capsize.
Blueprint learnt that the deceased, who were students of Community Secondary School, Atani, Ogbaru LGA, were on their way to home at Ochuche, a riverine community in the same Council area when they met their untimely death.
Mr Edwin Okadigbo, public relations officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra state command, while confirming the news, said that the students were on March 23, declared missing during which the contacted.
“Recalled on 23/03/2020 at about 18:00hrs, following a distress call, NSCDC Ogbaru Divisional office was alerted that three students of Community secondary school, Atani capsized and were declared missing while peddling canoe on River Niger to their house.
“Preliminary Investigation revealed the three students on their way to Ochuche in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra state were children of one Mr Chukwuemeka of Urum-Etiti, Anam in Anambra West but residing at Ochuche. Cause of the incident was attributed to river turbulence, following the heavy downpour of March 23 2020.
“Two out of the five students that were in the canoe, however, managed to survive the capsizing. Efforts are being intensified at recovering the missing three. The State Commandant of NSCDC Comdt. David Bille has ordered for discreet investigation surrounding the incident,” he disclosed.
