Mourners at the Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Church compound on February 1 during the combined funeral service for five women who lost their lives in a bus accident on January 31. (Morung Photo)
Combined funeral service held at CABA for January 31 bus accident victims
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 1
Thousands gathered at the compound of the Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Church (CABA) on Sunday afternoon for a combined funeral service of five women who lost their lives in a tragic bus accident on Saturday evening. Amid profound grief, the service became a collective expression of prayer, reflection and reaffirmation of faith.
All five deceased were women and members of CABA, and were among 27 passengers travelling in a bus that met with the accident at around 8:00 pm near a bridge at 10th Mile Road, approximately five kilometres after crossing Tsiesema village. The bus was part of a three-vehicle convoy returning to Chümoukedima from Mokokchung via Zhadima after attending an event organised by the Mokokchung Town Ao Baptist Churches Mission (MTABCM) on January 30 and 31.
Updates on Sunday confirmed that five persons died on the spot, while 16 others sustained injuries. Two of the injured remain in intensive care and are reported to be stable, while the others were discharged after treatment and overnight observation. In all, 43 members of CABA were travelling in the convoy.
At the funeral service, speakers reflected on the tragedy through the lens of faith, grappling with questions of loss, divine purpose and human limitation.
Repeatedly, the congregation was urged not to view the incident merely as a tragedy, but as a solemn sacrifice and a lesson in faith.
One of the passengers who survived the accident briefly recounted the incident, stating that while the driver made every effort to control the vehicle, an apparent brake failure left little room for recovery. The survivor urged the gathering to take solace in Christ, expressing hope that the departed had found their eternal rest, and encouraged believers to reaffirm their faith amid suffering.
Speaking on behalf of the Ao community, the President of Ao Senden described the deaths as part of a “spiritual battle,” stating that though lives were lost, the battle had been won in faith. He also expressed gratitude to all individuals and organisations that rendered assistance in the aftermath of the accident.
Representative of the Chümoukedima Village Council conveyed condolences on behalf of the villages, noting that although the deceased hailed from different places, they were bonafide citizens of the community. The council called upon the congregation to accept the loss as part of God’s will, emphasising that the journey undertaken by the victims had been one of service and blessing to others.
A representative of MTABCM urged the gathering not to lose hope, but to see the day as a call to deeper repentance and prayer. “This is not a day of defeat, but of victory,” he said, adding that the departed had reached their final resting place.
Leaders of Watsü Telen Chümoukedima, which lost both its President and General Secretary in the accident, described the loss as the removal of a strong foundation. While acknowledging the depth of grief, they said solace was found in the belief that God’s plans transcend human understanding.
Condolences were also conveyed by the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), the apex association of Ao Baptist churches comprising representatives of 170 churches and 19 fellowships. Referring to Christian teachings on hope, ABAM leaders noted that while grief was natural, the lives and works of the departed continued to offer comfort and testimony.
Messages of condolence were also received from Watsü Telen Mokokchung and Kohima, Christ Community Church Chümoukedima, Lotha Hoho Chümoukedima, and Minister Jacob Zhimomi. All speakers expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Delivering the main message, the CABA Pastor Dr Imtisangba acknowledged that the human heart could scarcely comprehend the scale of the loss. Recalling that the youngest of the deceased was 35 and the oldest 77, he urged the congregation to find solace in faith, emphasising that life and death alike form part of a divine plan beyond human understanding.
Referring to Psalms and Ecclesiastes, he reminded the gathering that the passing of believers is precious in God’s sight and that a house of mourning calls the living to reflect on the temporary nature of life. He further noted that death, for believers, is not the end but the beginning of life.
Other speakers echoed similar biblical reflections, emphasising sacrifice, faithful endurance and the completion of one’s spiritual race.
As hymns were sung and prayers offered, the service concluded with a collective resolve to honour the departed not only through remembrance, but through renewed commitment to faith, service and compassion.
