AYODELE ONI, Akure

Shockwaves ripped through the state as 190 other persons on board the wooden boat who were missing as at press time were feared dead.

The boat was said to have taken off from Igbokoda along the waterways, which is linked to the Atlantic Ocean, and between Igbokoda and Awoye, it hit a sharp object and broke into pieces, throwing its human and other cargos into the angry sea.

The incident occurred close to a shrine housing the dreaded Ayelala deity.

Chairman of Ilaje local government (with headquarters in Igbokoda), Chief Adebambo Odoro, who was part of the rescue team confirmed that the accident occurred at a point very close to the Ayelala shrine.

According to the chairman, the boat was ferrying passengers, mostly market women and students travelling back to their towns for vacation.

Chief Odoro explained that the boat took off from Igbokoda before the accident happened between Igbokoda and Awoye close to the shrine.

Marine police and voluntary divers continued with the search to recover the remaining bodies of the victims.

The area close to the Ayelala shrine has become notorious for accidents on the sea.

Four officials of National Orientation Agency (NOA) lost their lives in a mishap at the same junction few years ago.

Contacted on the issue, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Adeniran Aremu told Daily Champion that the command had not got any official report on the matter from the Igbokoda division.

As at press time, there was no government reaction to the tragic incident as the State Executive Council was meeting.

Meanwhile the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. John Mafor, who confirmed the incident said government was expecting a full report of the incident from the local government boss.

Consequently he said the actual death toll could not be immediately ascertained.