Calabar, June 26, 2023 – The bodies of the three medical students who were missing during a speedboat mishap in Calabar on Saturday have been recovered in from the waters of Marina Resort.
The bodies were recovered in the early hours of Monday, according to the statement from the Ahmadu Bello University Medical Students’ Association which said two of the victims were from their institution.
The association identified the two deceased students as Mustapha Tukur and Kabiru Hamza, both final-year medical students of the university.
The late Tukur, until his passing, was the vice president of the medical students’ association at Ahmadu Bello University, the statement said.
“Both students were exceptional individuals, known for their dedication, compassion and academic prowess.
“They had a promising future ahead of them, and their loss was deeply felt by their families, classmates, professors, and everyone associated with the medical programme.
“It surely was a painful exit, but we take solace knowing too well that they both lived a fruitful and impactful life.
“They will always be remembered for using their sojourn on earth wisely and well. They added to what they found on earth, but did not subtract.
“They made and didn’t destroy, and they left things better than they found them,” the association said.
The third victim was a medical student from the University of Uyo.
The deceased medical students were among other medical students from various universities across Nigeria who were in Calabar for their national convention hosted by the students’ medical association of the University of Calabar.
Emmanuel Ushie, the President of the University of Calabar Medical Students’ Association, confirmed that two of the victims were from Ahmadu Bello University, while one was from the University of Uyo.
The police in Cross River have confirmed the recovery of the three corpses.
The students were on a boat cruise to explore the city when their speedboat capsized on Saturday.
The three deceased students were initially declared missing after 11 of their colleagues were rescued.
The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, ordered an indefinite suspension of all cruise boat operations at Marina Resort in Calabar after the tragic incident. (GBN)
