𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱𝘆 𝗜𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀, 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

6𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹, 2026.

A tragic incident has claimed the life of a young graduate, Michael Obeten, during a Passion of Christ dramatization in Ugep.

Obeten, a mass communication graduate of the University of Cross River State, was reportedly struck on the head by debris from an explosive cannon used during the performance. The event was part of a traditional Easter re-enactment depicting the final moments of Jesus Christ.

Eyewitnesses said the victim, who was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Parish in Ugep, was playing the role of Jesus Christ when the cannon, intended to simulate thunder, malfunctioned. The explosion sent fragments flying, hitting him and rendering him unconscious at the scene.

He was initially taken to the General Hospital in Ugep and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki for advanced medical care. Despite efforts by doctors, he was confirmed dead.

Family sources described his death as a devastating loss, noting that he had been the primary caregiver for his ailing father, who is wheelchair-bound.

The incident has cast a somber mood over the Easter celebrations in the community and has raised fresh concerns about safety protocols during religious and public theatrical performances.