IKOM (CONVERSEER) – The Okuni community in Ikom Local Government Area in Central Cross River State, is in mourning following the tragic drowning of a young man, identified as Ntibor, also known locally as “Blaq Samy.”
The incident, which has left the community in shock, occurred on Sunday afternoon when the victim, believed to be in his mid-20s, went to the river to bathe.
According to CaliTown, Ntibor entered the river and swam a short distance before disappearing under the water. A young girl who was also at the riverbank noticed his absence and immediately raised an alarm. The alert quickly attracted the attention of several villagers, who rushed to the scene to search for him.
Despite their best efforts, a search party and local divers who were quickly deployed to locate him were unsuccessful. The search continued into the night and through Monday, but Ntibor’s body was not found until the early hours of Tuesday morning, when it was discovered floating in the river. His body was later buried shortly thereafter.
Tensions remain high within the community, as some villagers are reportedly suspicious of foul play in the incident, although no verifiable evidence of such has been uncovered.
In the wake of these suspicions, the father of the deceased has been forced to flee the community, with some locals suggesting that he may have been involved in his son’s death. These claims, however, remain unsubstantiated.
As the community grapples with grief, questions surrounding the circumstances of Ntibor’s death continue to linger.