Tragedy Strikes as 28 Wedding Guests Perish in Road, Water Accidents

At least 28 wedding guests lost their lives over the weekend following fatal road and water accidents recorded in Enugu and Kebbi States.

The accidents occurred as the guests returned home from the party and accompanied the bride to her husband’s home.

Vanguard News reports that the  guests from Umuahia in Abia State were returning from a traditional marriage and wedding ceremony in Enugu State on Saturday night when the coaster bus conveying them collided head-on with an articulated vehicle (trailer) on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The accident, at about 6pm, occurred near the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ozalla, a few metres from the popular 4-Corner Junction.

Fourteen passengers reportedly died instantly at the scene, while some others succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital.

Most of the deceased were traders dealing in foodstuffs at Bonny Street, by Owerri Road, near Isi Gate, Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

The groom, MacDonald Okechukwu, an indigene of Orlu in Imo State, was said to be one of the traders in the area.

Okechukwu’s wife hails from Amagunze in Nkanu, Enugu State, where both the traditional marriage and wedding ceremony were held.

Confirming the incident to Vanguard News, the Chairman of Bonny Street Traders Association, James Edeh, described the accident as horrific.

“We evacuated 12 bodies, including eight traders, two kinsmen of the groom, and two other guests,” Edeh said.

The boat accident in Kebbi State, according to Channels Television, occurred in Gumbi village, Gumbi Ward of Yauri Local Government Area.

This was after the victims had accompanied a bride to her husband’s house in Gwarzo village, Ngaski LGA.

The celebrants were said to be returning home when the boat capsized, throwing more than 100 passengers into the water.

Fourteen people: 13 women and one child, reportedly lost their lives in the incident.

Governor Nasir Idris was said to have been represented at the funeral prayer by the Chairman of Yauri Local Government Area, Abubakar Shu’aibu.

Idris condoled with the immediate families of the deceased, the local government, the emirate, and the people of Yauri.

He urged them to accept the will of God Almighty in good faith.

Channels Television quoted him to have said: “I appeal to you to accept this in good faith, bearing in mind that nothing happens without the knowledge of our Creator.

“God does what He wants at the time He wants, and nobody has the right to question Him.”