A Nigerian lady has recounted how his 15-year-old brother, Ejimnaka Michael Chidera, who left for his boarding school hale and hearty was returned to the family in a coffin.
The lady, identified as kristabella_22 on TikTok, said the school told the family there was a fire outbreak that razed down the building where the students were housed.
While others were safely evacuated, Chidera was not lucky, as he could not be rescued before the fire burnt down the entire structure.
His charred remains were reportedly found in his dormitory after the fire subsided.
Paying her deceased brother a tribute, Christabel wrote:
“😭You went to school and returned home dead💔😭
I thought u will finish school and come back in a grand style but u came back as a corpse 😭😭
Sleep well my brother my heart is broken 😭💔”
She posted an obituary poster made for the boy and also a video of the moment the coffin containing his remains was brought to their home at Amaifo Village, Akpo, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Chidera was buried in the family compound on Saturday, 15 June, 2024.
Until his death, Chidera, the first son of his parents, was a promising student of the Bishop Crowther Memorial Seminary School, Awka, Anambra State capital.
The fire which claimed his life, broke out around 11.30 pm on Saturday, May 18 in the boarding facility of the school. It was not clear what caused it.
The fire damaged all the valuables in the school’s hostel, including mattresses and other students’ belongings.
Anambra State Fire Service Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, said firefighters and a fire truck were deployed immediately to the scene of the incident and the fire was contained. But not until it had ended the promising future of Chidera who lost his father in 2018.
Chidera’s sister lamented that it was the third death in her family. According to her, she lost her father in 2018, her cousin in 2019 and now her younger brother in 2024.
Kristabel lamented that she was under depression especially as she had finished school and national service without any meaningful job.
Netizens have continued to send her words of comfort.
Watch the sad video of the arrival of the return of Chidera to his home in a coffin here.
