The tragic identities of seven seminarians from the Capuchin Order, operating under the Enugu Catholic Diocese, have been officially confirmed following a fatal accident in Cross River State. These young Friars were on their way back from a guided excursion to the Obudu Ranch Resort, situated in the Bottom Hill area of Obudu, when the devastating crash occurred. The incident took place at Ikwette Village in Obanliku Local Government Area, a location along the route back from the resort.
Reports from the scene reveal that the seminarians were accompanied by a Reverend Father and had just concluded their tour when the bus they were traveling in reportedly suffered a brake failure. This mechanical failure caused the vehicle to veer off the road and tumble into a deep valley in the Ikwette community. Tragically, four of the seminarians lost their lives instantly at the scene, while nine others sustained varying degrees of injury and are currently being treated at a hospital in Obudu.
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, expressed his profound grief over the incident in a press release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill. The state government has assured that it is reaching out to the bereaved families to offer support during this difficult time.
The deceased seminarians have been named as Br. Somadina Ibe-Ojuludu, Br. Chinedu Nwachukwu, Br. Marcel Ezenwafor, Gerald Nwogueze, Br. Kingsley Nwosu, Br. Wilfred Aleke, and Br. Chukwudi Obueze. The incident has cast a deep shadow of mourning over both the religious community and the broader state.
The governor’s statement highlighted that thirteen individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the crash and that preliminary investigations suggest brake failure as a likely cause. Emergency response units, including personnel from the Nigerian Army stationed at the resort, responded swiftly to the scene, offering critical support. The government emphasized its ongoing commitment to ensuring safety across the Ranch Resort and surrounding areas, adding that safety protocols and vehicle checks would be reviewed to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Visitors are urged to adhere strictly to safety guidelines and ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles.