The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the tragic d3aths of Chioma Obasi, sister of renowned Afrobeats singer Patoranking, and her husband George Obasi, following a gas explosion at their Abakaliki residence.
The incident occurred recently, leaving the couple with severe injuries.
Despite receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Abakaliki, Chioma succumbed to her injuries five days later, while George passed away the following day.
The couple’s three-year-old son, who was upstairs at the time of the explosion, survived the incident.
The police investigation revealed that a gas leak likely caused the explosion, which was triggered by a spark when the door was opened.
Conflicting reports had emerged about the cause of the blast, with some speculating an inverter battery explosion or even a targeted dynamite attack. However, the police have dismissed these claims, confirming that the explosion was a result of a gas leak.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with neighbors describing the explosion as sounding like a bomb blast due to the extensive damage to the ground floor of the building.
The police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, emphasized that preliminary investigations indicate a gas leak as the likely cause, and the case is still under investigation.
