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A journey that began with the somber purpose of finalizing burial arrangements for a loved one ended in unimaginable tragedy in the early hours of Thursday, 28 November 2025, when a vehicle carrying eight members of the Kyêgh family veered off the road and plunged into River Dura in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
The family, all travelling together, lost their lives instantly in the accident, sending shockwaves through their community and beyond. Eyewitnesses and local sources described a scene of utter devastation as rescue efforts recovered the bodies from the river.
News of the crash spread rapidly, leaving neighbours, friends, and relatives reeling from the scale of the loss. In a single moment, an entire branch of the Kyêgh family was wiped out, turning what was meant to be a trip rooted in grief into a catastrophe of historic proportions for the area.
Among those deeply affected by the tragedy is the Executive Chairman of Vandeikya Local Government, Hon. Dennis Terkura Guda, who described the incident as “a heartbreaking tragedy that has thrown the entire Vandeikya Local Government into deep mourning.”
Hon. Guda wasted no time in extending concrete support to the bereaved. He personally covered all outstanding mortuary bills and donated eight caskets to ensure each of the deceased is laid to rest with full dignity. Beyond material assistance, he offered prayers for the Kyêgh family, asking for divine strength for the survivors and eternal rest for the departed.
“No family deserves to go through such unimaginable tragedy by themselves,” the chairman said. “We are one people, and their pain is our pain.”
He reassured the grieving relatives that they would not face this dark hour alone and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to unity, compassion, and community support at a time when those values are needed most.
As the people of Kwande and Vandeikya come together to mourn, the accident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable dangers that lurk even on familiar roads. For now, the community’s focus remains on consoling the extended Kyêgh family and honouring the memory of the eight souls lost to the waters of River Dura.
May their souls rest in perfect peace.
