By Anzoo Evaline.

Residents of Forukwa Village in Okangali Parish, Ciforo Sub County have raised serious concerns over the continuous and unexplained deaths occurring along the River Nile banks at Esia Stream. These observe that several people have drowned under unclear circumstances over the past four years.

According Eberu Francis, these incidents described as the ‘unnecessary disappearance of innocent souls in the name of death’ have caused intense fear and panic among families. Many of the drowning victims reportedly died while bathing at the river, a situation that locals say has become too frequent to be considered normal.

“We have issues of witch craft in our village here and the current one they are using is different from the previous one. Our sons are drowning in the river and event some times you hit yourself on a stone like this, reaching in the evening you are gone which is really a bad situation for us parents”, Eberu stated.

Some residents also expressed suspicion towards one of the village youths whom they believe may be connected to the repeated occurrences. They claim the pattern of the deaths raises questions that need urgent intervention from authorities.

Komaa Susan, whose daughter was touched by one the boys who calmed that he has touched her with a love portion expressed frustration over the future of her daughter.

“It’s really very bad for us mothers because even right now my daughter is a victim of this and I don’t know what there is for her”, Komaa said.

Echoing similar concern, the LC1 Chairman, Drani Bosco noted, for past four years the occurrence of mysterious deaths of there was too much. He further stressed that last week one of the youth travelled to Dufile Sub County and came back with another mysterious behaviour which they suspecting him to have come back poison.

“It has now taken four years, we are losing youths, elderly people strangely some times they will enter the river themselves and the next hour you see their dead body that’s the reason why we called this village meeting today so that we can vote out those people but accidentally the suspects are still at church for some counselling”, said the LC1 chairman.

The community has now appealed to the Sub County stakeholders to intervene and investigate the matter thoroughly before more lives are lost.

Responding to the residents’ concerns, the OC Ciforo Police Post, Barigo Charles, urged the community to remain calm and follow the right procedures in handling the matter.

“For us as police, we rely on evidence. So, if such an allegation is there, I am appealing to the community to come and report to police so that we bring this person in and investigate,” he stated.

He added that rushing to conclusions without facts can cause harm and may lead to wrongful accusations:

“Sometimes people talk based on rumours, and even issues like poison or witchcraft may not be factual. At times people allege such things because of personal misunderstandings. So, I appeal to the community not to take the law into their own hands,” he added.

The OC encouraged residents to share any credible information with the police to support proper investigations, emphasizing that only through lawful channels can the truth be established and lasting safety restored in Forukwe Village.

END.