Two teenage brothers lost their lives in the Omileye River in Ore, the administrative center of Odigbo Local Government Area in Ondo State.
The tragedy took place on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, following heavy rainfall that caused the river to overflow its banks.
The siblings were reportedly carried away by the current while trying to cross the river on their way home from summer classes, having stopped by their father’s mechanic workshop to wait out the rain.
It was learned that the two boys had remained at their father’s workshop until the rain subsided before setting out for home.
A local source explained that the boys departed the workshop when the rain ceased, unaware that the flood had destroyed the bridge.
“It rained all day. It was a terrible day. The father of the boys became worried when he returned home and found they were not there. He had to organise a search party. After hours of searching, the search party discovered the lifeless bodies of the two boys at different points along the riverbank, trapped in debris,” she said.
The heartbreaking incident plunged the community into grief, with residents coming together to offer condolences to the grieving family.
Many locals expressed frustration over the lack of proper infrastructure to prevent such tragedies, pointing out that the river had long been a danger due to the absence of a footbridge.
“Every rainy season, this river becomes a threat. We’ve complained severally. Government must wake up before more lives are lost,” one resident said.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli