Date Published: 05/12/11

3 die celebrating Rochas’ victory

Three kinsmen of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, governor-elect of Imo State have been confirmed dead. They died last Saturday, May 7 in the heat of celebration which enveloped the state soon after his declaration as winner of the 2011 gubernatorial poll in the state.

The deceased are Ifeanyi Ukpaka, a final year Economics student of Evan Enwerem University Owerri and Vice-Chairman of Okohia Youths Association, Ideato South Local Government Area, Ebuka Alagba, and Ebere Unegbu, who worked in Bayelsa State before his untimely death.

The deceased hailed from Okohia Autonomous Community in the same Ideato South Council as Okorocha.

It was gathered that the threesome engaged in unbridled celebration and merry-making which saw them traversing the length and breadth of Ideato South including Akokwa in the neighbouring Ideato North Council Area on a motorcycle.

According to UgoGold Ofonedu, National Secretary of Okohia Youths Association, the trio met their untimely death while returning from Akokwa when their motocycle rammed into an on-coming vehicle.

He disclosed that two of them died on the spot while the other was confirmed dead at a nearby hospital.

Ofonedu said it was double tragedy for the Unegbu family whose patriarch, Pa Unegbu was buried a week earlier before his son died while celebrating Rochas’ vicrtory at poll.

Ebere’s death, he said, made his family to postpone indefinitely the memorial outing church service for their late father.