The Apete community in Ibadan, Oyo State, is engulfed in grief after two teenage relatives lost their lives by drowning in a river within the Morubo-Apete area. The incident, which occurred recently, has left families and neighbours in profound shock.
A Fatal Swim Despite Warnings
The victims, identified as 15-year-old Abdullahi Sheriff and 13-year-old Adekitan Rasheed, were known to be close relatives who lived with their parents in neighbouring houses. According to community findings, the boys had a habit of visiting the river to bathe and fish. This was despite repeated warnings from elders about the water body's unpredictable and unknown depth, which made it particularly dangerous.
On the tragic day, the teenagers reportedly sneaked out of their homes without their parents' knowledge or consent. Upon reaching the riverside, they removed their clothes, hung them on nearby tree branches, and entered the water to swim.
Frantic Search and Recovery
Concern arose later in the evening when family members could not locate the boys. Their prolonged absence triggered a frantic search throughout the neighbourhood. The search party's worst fears were confirmed when they discovered the boys' clothes still hanging by the river.
Residents immediately mobilised a rescue attempt, but efforts that night proved futile. The incident was officially reported at the Apete Police Station. A community resident, speaking anonymously, confirmed that police officers, led by the Divisional Police Officer, responded swiftly. "The police came quickly after the report was made. They brought two swimmers who know the river very well. After searching for a while, the bodies of the boys were recovered from the river," the source disclosed.
Community Mourning and Calls for Action
The families of the deceased conducted separate burial rites reflecting their beliefs and traditions. One teenager was buried by the riverside following customary practices, while the other was laid to rest in a cemetery in accordance with Islamic rites.
The sudden loss of the two boys, described by neighbours as lively and respectful, has cast a pall over Apete. In the wake of the tragedy, community leaders and concerned residents have issued urgent appeals:
- Increased public awareness campaigns on the dangers of swimming in rivers and open water bodies, especially during the rainy season.
- A call for parents and guardians to monitor their children's movements more closely to prevent similar incidents.
- A demand for government intervention to install safety measures such as warning signs and barriers around rivers in residential areas, coupled with regular sensitisation programmes.
The community stresses that immediate action is necessary to avert further loss of innocent lives to the treacherous waters that flow through their area.
