Nursing Student Found Lifeless in Drainage After Attending Church Service

 

What was meant to be a quiet Good Friday in Calabar turned tragic after the lifeless body of a young nursing student was discovered in a drainage ditch — a discovery that has left her school, community, and loved ones reeling.

Elizabeth Awhobiwom Ukah, a 23-year-old student of the Federal College of Nursing Science in Calabar, was found dead in the early hours of Saturday, April 19, 2025. Her body was spotted along Musaha Umoh Okon Street, in the Ekpo Abasi area of Calabar South — lying face-down in a drainage channel.

At first, she was unidentified. Local residents, startled by the sight, called in the authorities. When officers from the Nigeria Police arrived and turned the body over, what they found was devastating — a young life cut short under mysterious circumstances.

It wasn’t until days later that journalist Agba Jalingo confirmed her identity in a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 23. According to his report, Elizabeth may have been swept away by floodwaters while returning home after attending Good Friday mass and participating in the Stations of the Cross at Holy Family Catholic Church, Big Qua Town.

Elizabeth hailed from the Ohong community in Obudu Local Government Area, Cross River State — a bright young woman with dreams of a career in nursing, now remembered for her faith and dedication to service.

Her death is sparking conversations around safety infrastructure, drainage management, and the risks that often go unnoticed during heavy rains in urban centers.

As her family grieves, and her schoolmates process the loss, many are left with heavy hearts and a haunting question: Could this have been prevented?

May her soul rest in peace.