By Valentine Utulu
Seven year old, Miss Chekwube Nwaokolo, a primary two pupil of Nnabuwa primary school has died after a branch of the Iroko tree, at the popular Ukwuoji market in Ogbeofu quaters, Ogwashi-Uku community fell down after an early morning rain on Tuesday.
The incident which happened at about 2: 45 pm on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the close of school has left many traders and villagers heartbroken and devastated.
An eyewitness told our reporter that little Chekwube had just closed from school and stopped over at her mother’s shop in the market, when the tree branch broke and crashed on the little girl, leaving her unconscious with head injuries.
The eyewitness, Madam Egondi Nwakanji, a foodstuff trader at the popular market narrated with pain how the little girl died in the hospital despite efforts to save her life.
“The tree branch suddenly broke out, maybe due to the early morning rain, and fell on the girl and also destroying foodstuffs on sale at the market.
“The is the second time a branch of the old Oji tree is falling down, the last time was in March 2025, but there was no casualty. This is the first time the tree is killing someone”, Nwakanji said.
Following the tragic death of the little girl, traders and buyers at the market quickly deserted the market place, amidst fear and apprehension.
The late Miss Chekwube Nwaokolo has since been buried in her father’s compound, Ogbeofu quaters Ogwashi-Uku.