Tragedy struck the town of Lapai on Thursday morning as two brothers, identified as Ismail Alaba and his sibling, drowned in the Katcha River while returning from a shopping trip.
According to report, the brothers had reportedly traveled to a nearby town to purchase bags of rice.
An eye account eyewitnesses, stated that the canoe they boarded capsized mid-river, plunging them into the fast-moving current.
They maintained that the river’s flow was believed to be unusually strong at the time of the incident.
The quick response from locals who rushed to the scene, notwithstanding, both brothers could not be rescued.
“Their bodies were later recovered by community volunteers after several hours of searching. They were brought back to Lapai, where news of the tragedy sparked an outpouring of grief.
The source described Ismail Alaba as a well-known and beloved member of the community. He operated a popular Point of Sale (POS) business at the Low-Cost Junction.
Alaba was widely described as cheerful, hardworking, and always ready to help others.
“It’s hard to believe they’re gone.” a distraught resident said.
“Ismail was just here yesterday, attending to customers with his usual smile,” a distraught resident said, griefly.
The report added that the Alaba family had only recently buried another son who died from injuries sustained during a football match.
Mourners have continued to visit the bereaved family, offering condolences and prayers.
Meanwhile, social media and local forums have been flooded with heartfelt tributes as the community struggles to come to terms with the devastating loss.
Recall that waterways mishaps have been in the rise of late, with hundreds of people losing their lives in the accidents.