Tragedy struck the Apete community in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Sunday, December 21, 2025, when two teenage boys lost their lives by drowning in a local river.
A Fatal Swim in Morubo-Apete
The victims have been identified as 15-year-old Abdullahi Sheriff and 13-year-old Adekitan Rasheed. The two were relatives, and their families lived in houses built side-by-side within the Apete area. According to reports, the boys were familiar with the river, often visiting it to bathe and sometimes to fish.
However, community elders had repeatedly warned them and other youngsters about the dangers of the waterway. The elders frequently chased them away, emphasizing that the river's depth was unknown and posed a significant risk. Despite these persistent safety warnings, the allure of the water proved too strong.
The Events of a Fateful Day
On that tragic Sunday, the two teenagers reportedly sneaked out of their homes. They made their way to the riverside in the Morubo-Apete area, removed their clothes, and hung them on the branches of a nearby plant. They then dove into the river for a swim.
When family members realized the boys were missing from home, they began a search. Their trail led to the riverbank, where the discovery of the clothes hanging on the branches confirmed their worst fears. The families immediately called for help that night, but initial rescue attempts failed to locate the children.
Recovery and Burial Rites
The situation was formally reported as a missing persons case at the Apete Police Station on Monday. The police response was swift. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) personally led officers to the scene, bringing with them two experienced swimmers to assist in the recovery operation.
The swimmers successfully retrieved the bodies of both teenagers from the deep sections of the river. In the aftermath of the recovery, the families conducted separate burial rites reflecting their beliefs and customs. One of the teenagers was buried by the riverside, in accordance with a specific custom observed by his family. The other was taken to a cemetery and buried following Islamic rites.
This heartbreaking incident has left the Apete community in mourning and serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of open water, especially when children and teenagers disregard safety advice from elders.
