Despite warnings from the Osun State Government that the water had been contaminated by the operations of artisan miners, devotees of the Osun deity were seen drinking from the Osun River on Friday.

On Friday, August 12, as the Osun-Osogbo festival reaches its pinnacle, thousands of Osun devotees and tourists have gathered at the Osun grove.

According to Naijacrawl, many of them were observed carrying water from the river in various containers and sipping it as they left the grove.

In their white robes and beads, devotees and guests had flocked to the riverside where they could be seen dancing and singing to traditional music.

Public health officials would be at the grove during the festival to further raise awareness of the risks associated with drinking the water, according to Rafiu Isamotu, the Osun State Commissioner for Health, who earlier spoke with journalists.