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A fisherman identified as Boluwaji Akinade and a labourer, Godtime James, have drowned at Arigba river behind Saint Andrews Grammar School along Sir Olabanji Akingbule road in Ondo Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government
The incident was said to have occurred on Thursday around 6.30am.
The victims were at river for fishing business and excavation of sand.
It was gathered the late Akinade was fishing when he fell inside the river while attempt by Godstime to rescue him failed, making both of them to drown.
An eyewitness, Mrs. 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 witness said: “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, said the deaths had spiritual implications.
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 victims have been buried according to traditional rites.
