Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Two persons who were invited as guests for the inauguration of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Onikoko, Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, have drowned in a river.
They were said to be among the seven persons who came from Lagos State for the inauguration of the new church in Onikoko but later left the church to swim in a river in the area and drowned in the process.
The matter was reported by one Adebayo Adeosun on Monday evening to the police at about 1830hrs, that some of the boys numbering about seven, who came from Lagos for the inauguration of their church, went to swim in a river in the area and drowned.
State Police Police Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta in a statement on Tuesday
Omolola said that the victims, namely- Femi Akinola, 32,of Odo Eran Itire, Lagos State, and Tunde Falade, 35, of Kola Alagbado in Lagos, left the church after the inauguration to swim at the Wagunu Esses river but got drowned and died.
She said they were rescued from the heavy tides and rushed to the Health Centre in Itori, where they were later confirmed dead by a medical doctor on duty.
The Police PRO said that when the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Olayemi Jacob, detailed his team to visit the scene upon receipt of the report, he ascertained that there were no marks of violence and no foul play suspected.
She added that their remains have since been evacuated to Ifo General Hospital for autopsy and later deposited in the same morgue.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Police Command, has expressed the deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.
He assured that the Command remained committed to promoting public safety and preventing such tragedies in the future, warning restive youths to steer clear of Rivers whose depth or tides they cannot ascertain.