Popular Nigerian Afrobeat singer Patoranking has been struck by a profound tragedy following the death of his younger sister, Chioma Onuabuchi, and her husband, George, in a gas explosion in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
According to the Ebonyi State Police Command, the devastating incident occurred on August 25 on the Waterworks axis in Abakaliki. DSP Joshua Ukandu, the Command’s spokesman, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the cause of death was indeed a gas explosion, contrary to initial reports suggesting an inverter battery explosion.
DSP Ukandu detailed the sequence of events: “It happened on the Waterworks axis in Abakaliki on August 25. Residents living around the scene alerted our personnel, who arrived only to find that the couple had already been taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, both Chioma and George succumbed to their injuries. Chioma passed away in August, while her husband George died in September.”
DSP Ukandu also confirmed Chioma’s relationship to the renowned Afrobeat artist. “We gathered that the wife was a younger sister to the popular Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Patoranking,” he stated.
A relative of the deceased couple, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss. “They were a young couple with only one child, a three-year-old son. Please, I have nothing more to say. I cannot say more than this. They have gone,” the relative lamented.
The news of this tragic loss has sparked widespread condolences and support for Patoranking and his family. Fans and fellow artists have expressed their sympathies, highlighting the profound impact of this devastating event on the singer and his loved ones.
The untimely deaths of Chioma Onuabuchi and George have cast a shadow over Patoranking’s life, marking a period of mourning and reflection for the singer. As the family comes to terms with their grief, the outpouring of support from the public underscores the widespread impact of their loss.
