Two adults identified as Godstime James and Boluwaji Akinade have drowned in a river in Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
This is coming barely a week after two commercial motorcyclists known as Okada were killed after they were swept away by flood in Oka area of the town near the Okeodunwo Bridge, while one of the victims was identified as Aderemi, chairman of Ondo Okada riders Association (ACOMORAN).
The latest victims ages 34 and 35, according to sources, had gone to the river for fishing and packing of sand when they met their their untimely death.
Niger Delta Connect gathered that, the two victims, Godstime and Boluwaji drowned at Arigba river behind Saint Andrews Grammar School, along Sir Olabanji Akingbule road, Arigbabola street, Ondo.
Our correspondent who visited the river bank saw the lifeless bodies of the men identified as Godstimes James an indigene from Isoko in Delta State while Boluwaji Ajibade hailed from Ondo town.
It was gathered that the one fishing was standing in the deepest part of the river where he could get enough fish, and later fell inside the river, as the second person packing sand wanted to rescue him also fell and they both drowned.
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An eye witness, Christianah Olugbenga said: “One of the victims was fishing in the river and the other one was packing sand at the other side of the river.
The one fishing started sinking into the river and shouted for help. The other victim rushed there to save him. But in the process of trying to rescue him, he too drowned in the river. Their bodies are over there beside the river.”
Another source who doesn’t want his name mentioned noted that the effort of an unidentified Hausa man who saw their over-bloated bodies and quickly jumped inside the river to rescue them but was abortive.
According to him, “I saw them as the person fishing fell but we could still see his hands up calling for help in the river. That was why the second person packing sand wanted to rescue him. But he also fell inside. Immediately I jumped inside the water, I was sent back by the goddess of the river and she said I should go and remove my ring and warned me never to come to the river again after taking them out.
“I was also informed by the goddess that I should leave their legs in the river and it was like that till the arrival of the police at Funbi Fagun Division,” he explained.
A local chief who spoke under the condition of anonymity, explained that the incident might have spiritual implications as water related tragedies were becoming recurrent in the community.
His words: “About a week ago, an incident like this happened and claimed lives. Today, it has happened here and there was no flooding in this area this time around. I think it is high time community leaders stood up and do the needful to stop these tragic incidents from continuing.”
The news of their demise caused a commotion in the community as residents ran to the river to ascertain the identities of those involved.
It was a gory sight for the people in the street when they rushed to the river as they were confronted with their lifeless bodies floating on the river.
This prevented residents of the street to help as everyone stood at a distance from the river.
Meanwhile, the President, Ekimogun Youths Connect, Famakinwa Lucas, said: ”Very early this morning, I received a call that two of our youths drowned in Arigba river. We immediately moved to the place and made efforts to rescue them. But unfortunately, they were both dead before they could be rescued. Several leaders and government agencies have visited us here. Preparations are on to bury them as soon as possible.”
Famakinwa advised parents to stop their children from going to the river to catch fish. He also called on adults who usually pack sand from the river to desist from coming there to forestall future occurrence.
The chairman, Ondo West Local Government, Ebenezer Akinsulire visited the scene of the incident and condoled with the people who have lost their loved ones to the unfortunate incident. He also assured the people that steps would be taken to forestall such incident.
