Afrobeats star Davido’s three-year-old son, Ifeanyi Adeleke, has tragically drowned in a swimming pool at the singer’s Nigerian home.
According to BBC, the child’s body was found at the bottom of a swimming pool at Davido’s home in Lagos State, Nigeria, on Oct. 31. Ifeanyi was then rushed to a local hospital, as he was reportedly underwater for a while, and was pronounced dead.
Lagos police are currently investigating what lead to the three-year-old’s drowning, spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin said in a statement. He added that Davido, and his fiancée, chef Chioma Rowland, weren’t home at the time of their son’s death.
“We are reviewing the CCTV cameras to get additional information about the circumstances of his death,” Benjamin said in the statement to BBC. “His body has been deposited in the morgue. We are in touch with his parents. In fact, they were with us last night.”
Authorities have reportedly questioned eight members of Davido’s team who were at his Lagos home and released six. A nanny and another unidentified individual are still being questioned, Benjamin said.
On Nov. 1, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu sent his condolences to Davido and Chioma, and noted that Ifeanyi had a smile that “made the world smile.”
“Death leaves a heartache no words can heal and today, I express my deepest condolences to David and Chioma, over the death of their son,” he tweeted. “I pray that God grants you strength even as my thoughts and prayers are with you.”
Death leaves a heartache no words can heal and today, I express my deepest condolences to David and Chioma, over the death of their son.
Ifeanyi was loved and his smile made the world smile. I pray that God grants you strength even as my thoughts and prayers are with you.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) November 1, 2022
The couple has not publicly commented on their son’s death, as fans believe they’re mourning in private. Last month, they shared pictures of Ifeanyi on Instagram in celebration of his birthday–just two weeks before his passing.
“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 greater than Me, Happy birthday, son #BIG3,” Davido wrote.
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The singer one of Africa’s most prominent musicians, rose to prominence in the 2010’s with his hit song “Fall” (2018). “Fall” became the longest-charting Nigerian song in history in 2019, Billboard reported. He’s since collaborated with numerous artists across various genres, including Nicki Minaj, Fabolous, Chris Brown, Lil Baby, Meek Mill, and others.
