Nigerian afro-pop star, Davido and his partner Chioma Rowland have reportedly lost their three-year-old son Ifeanyi Adeleke.
According to the DailyMail, little Ifeanyi drowned in a swimming pool at Davido’s residence on Banana Island, Lagos State.
A source close to the family informed local media that the three-year-old was underwater for a very long time. They said, “The boy was inside water for too long, and they pulled him out and rushed him to the hospital.”
“By the time they rushed him to Lagoon Hospital, it was already too late.”
Davido, 29, and his fiancé Chioma Rowland are yet to make an official statement, but sources claim they were purportedly out at the time.
Nonetheless, there were several staff members at the house. Eight workers have now been brought in for questioning regarding the death of the three-year-old, the Lagos State Police Command said.
“Domestic staff at Davido’s home have been taken to the station to give their own account of what happened. I wouldn’t call that arrest yet,” a police spokesperson told the Daily Post.
“If after they all give their own account of what happened and after preliminary investigations, if anyone of them is found culpable, the person will now be placed under arrest.”
The spokesperson also told BBC News that they are reviewing CCTV footage o get additional information concerning the circumstances of his death.
“His body has been deposited in the morgue. We are in touch with his parents” In fact, they were w”with us last night.”
Right after the news broke, tributes poured in for the toddler from various celebrities and fans:
I send my sincere condolences to Davido and Chioma, over the death of their son Ifeanyi. I cannot begin to imagine the pains they are going through at the moment. May God grant them healing, strength and comfort in this trying time. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.-PO
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) November 1, 2022
and
Can’t look at this picture the same way again ?
Prayers up for Davido and Chioma ?? pic.twitter.com/hPOJSKg8X7
— SEYE BANKS (@SheyeBanks) November 1, 2022
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What horrible, devastating news to hear ? Praying for Davido & Chioma ?? No parents deserve to feel that pain ?
— ENISA (@IAmENISA) November 1, 2022
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Davido had lost people he could die for in the past few years but this! This is the highest. His son?! Nobody can know what he or the mother, chioma feels right now. I pray God gives them peace. He shares happiness to alot, I pray he finds peace. Amen ?
— SHANK COMICS? (@Obacruze) November 1, 2022
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Prayers ?? @davido
— Big Smoke – (@Skepta) November 1, 2022
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My deepest condolences to Davido and Chioma, this is a loss that no one should ever have to go through. Sending all my light and my loudest prayers to the Family ???
— Pheelz??? (@Pheelz) November 1, 2022
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This is so sad!! Ha!! ☹️☹️Rest In Peace little champ. May the almighty God comfort Chioma,Davido and their families.
— Funke Akindele (@funkeakindele) November 1, 2022
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Devastating news this morning. My thoughts are with Davido and Chioma, as well as Takeoff’s loved ones. ?
— TONI TONE (@t0nit0ne) November 1, 2022
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Heartbreaking news. No parent should ever have to experience such loss ??. My heart and prayers go out to @davido, Chioma and their families ??
— LADIPOE (@LadiPoe) November 1, 2022
Little Ifeanyi passed away just days after celebrating his third birthday.
In a sweet post alongside two photos of Ifeanyi, David wrote, “I pray with all my heart that God grants you perfect health and pure happiness for as long as humanly possible.”
“You will grow to be great than me. Happy birthday, son.”
View this post on Instagram
In her own post, Chioma wrote, “Happy birthday to the love of my life. Mummy loves you so much. May God always bless you for me.”
Also, in a recent video, Davido, who has over 25 million followers on Instagram, was seen teaching his son, Ifeanyi, how to swim.
Other footage showed the two dancing together in the pool as music played in the background.
It’s unclear whether that was the same swimming pool where Ifeanyi died, though. All we can do now is send our condolences to the family and pray that Ifeanyi rests peacefully with angels.
