A 12-year-old Nigerian boy, Damilola Khalid Afolabi, has tragically drowned after jumping into Mahogany Lake in southeast Calgary, Canada. The incident occurred on Sunday, May 3, 2026, following a basketball game with friends. He was laid to rest on Wednesday, May 6.
Details of the Incident
Calgary Fire Department (CFD) crews responded to a call around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday after reports that a child had jumped from a dock and failed to resurface. CFD public information officer Alex Kwan stated that the boy had been playing basketball shortly before entering the water. Rescue teams faced poor visibility and cold temperatures, which hampered the search. It took nearly 45 minutes to locate the child, who was found more than six meters below the surface. Firefighters pulled him from the water and transferred him to an ambulance in critical and life-threatening condition.
Father's Grief
Damilola's father, Jubreel Babatunde Afolabi, was consoled throughout the funeral service as he recounted the family's recent move from Ghana in March 2026. He shared that his son had embraced the move with optimism, saying, "When we were about to leave Ghana, Dami said, 'Thank you for the good life you are going to give us in Canada.' I didn't know that my son would never be with me at this moment." He described Damilola as a great child who brought joy and happiness. "I never prayed that I would be the one to bury my son. I wish Dami was the one to bury me, but not the other way around," he added.
Community Response
Family spokesperson Patrick Adda described Damilola as a friendly boy who loved people and made friends easily. "He loved to make friends, he loved people… he's so friendly and that's what he likes to do," Adda said. Community members are now calling for reforms to private lakes, including higher minimum age requirements, to prevent similar incidents. The Mahogany Lake Association expressed deep sadness over the child's death, offering condolences and supporting the family during this difficult time. Residents in the area said the incident has left the community shaken, with one resident expressing concerns about safety at the lake, noting that only a waiver is signed without further assistance.
Fundraising Efforts
Those close to the family are raising funds to support them as they navigate their loss so soon after arriving in Canada.
