Two die after traditional festival in Ondo community

…as cleric commits suicide over unanswered prayer

Three persons including a clergyman died in mysterious circumstances at Ipe-Akoko in Akoko Southeast Local Government Area of Ondo State after a traditional festival.

While two of the victims died after taking concoction popularly called agbo, the other person, a clergyman committed suicide after he claimed that his prayer was not answered as a result of the death of the people he prayed for.

The cleric, Rev. Adeloye was said to have committed suicide after two of the people he prayed for during the celebration of the Ibogbe festival died after they drank concoction.

A source in Ipe-Akoko said two persons Alexandra Ojulewa, and Teloye Alonge, died as a result of a concoction they drank with the owner of the concoction and a middle-aged man who came for the Ibogbe festival from Abuja. The source said those who drank the concoction were rushed to the hospital and two of them died before they got to the hospital.

However, the retired Anglican priest was said to have committed suicide in his house at Ipe-Akoko. According to a source, the late clergyman in his suicide note claimed that he was the person who prayed for the group where two people died.

The source said the entire community has been thrown into mourning. However, the clergyman cannot be buried until traditional rites have been performed in conformity with the tradition of the town.

The state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya who confirmed the incident said a chief came and reported at Isua police station that one Mr. Ojulewa prepared a native concoction which he drank with two others.

Odunlami-Omisanya, said the trio started vomiting, while on their way to the hospital, the duo of Ojulewa Alex and Alonge Samuel gave up the ghost, while Adu Johnson was in a coma receiving medical treatment.

She added however that investigation was ongoing.