A tragic bus accident has claimed the lives of four young Catholic seminarians at Ikwete Village, located at the bottom of the Obudu Ranch Hills in Obanlikwu Local Government Area, Cross River State.
According to reports, the seminarians, who were members of the Enugu Catholic Church, lost their lives in a devastating crash while traveling for a religious program. Although full details are still emerging, early investigations point to mechanical failure—specifically a burst tyre—as the cause of the crash. The vehicle somersaulted multiple times after the tyre reportedly gave way.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy that occurred in February 2016, when six seminarians from St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene, lost their lives in a near-identical manner on their way to Enugu for a human development seminar. The affected students in that crash were also traveling in a 16-seater bus that suffered a burst tyre, resulting in fatal injuries for some and leaving others critically wounded.
The Catholic community is in mourning once again, as families, friends, and colleagues of the victims grapple with the loss. Prayers have been pouring in from across the country, and many are calling for improved safety standards, especially for long-distance religious travels.
Our Thoughts
The lives of these young men, dedicated to serving God and humanity, were cut short in a painful and unexpected way. Their deaths serve as a somber reminder of how fragile life is and why road safety must be taken seriously—by individuals, organizations, and government agencies alike.
May their souls rest in perfect peace.
Keywords: Enugu seminarians, Obudu bus crash, Cross River accident, Catholic Church Nigeria, Obanlikwu crash victims, Nigeria road safety.
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