Dancehall singer Patoranking has suffered a devastating loss following the deaths of his sister and brother-in-law in a gas explosion.
Initial reports on social media were unclear, suggesting the explosion was caused by either a battery inverter or a gas leak.
However, an update from the Ebonyi State police has confirmed that the explosion, which took place in Abakaliki, was caused by a gas cylinder.
Joshua Ukandu, the police spokesperson told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the incident occurred on August 25.
He stated that preliminary investigations indicated the couple, George Onuabuchi and his wife, died as a result of the gas explosion.
“The explosion occurred on the waterworks axis in Abakaliki. Residents alerted the police, but by the time officers arrived, the couple had already been taken to the hospital,” said Ukandu.
“Sadly, they did not survive. The wife was a younger sister to popular Nigerian Afrobeat singer Patoranking.”
A relative of the couple expressed the deep sorrow the family is feeling.
“They were a young couple with only one child, a three-year-old son. It’s a terrible loss for us,” the family member said. “I don’t have the words to say more. They are gone.”
The tragic incident reportedly occurred shortly after the couple celebrated a housewarming event and their child’s birthday.
