…Oyo State recorded a series of drowning-related incidents in 2025, prompting the warning.
OYO, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday night issued a safety advisory urging residents to be extremely careful around rivers, streams, dams, swimming pools and other water-related facilities in order to prevent accidental drowning.
In a statement released in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the command also cautioned church owners and religious organisations especially those with worship centres located near rivers, streams or other natural water bodies to adopt proactive safety measures during religious activities.
Oyo State recorded a series of drowning-related incidents in 2025, prompting the warning.
In June 2025, officials of the Saki Zonal Command of the Oyo State Fire Service Agency recovered the body of a two-year-old girl from a well at Orita Mokola Junction in Saki Local Government Area. Similarly, in November 2025, the corpse of a 45-year-old man was retrieved from a well in Odo-Ogbo, Oja-Agbe, Iseyin Local Government Area.
Ayanlade stressed that unsupervised access to water bodies, particularly by children, should be firmly discouraged.
He urged members of the public to exercise maximum caution around all water-related facilities, while advising religious bodies to ensure adequate supervision during worship activities held near water bodies to avoid accidents.
The police spokesperson also reminded hotel owners, resort operators and managers of recreational centres in Oyo of their responsibility to properly supervise swimming pools within their premises and clearly display safety notices.
He further called on parents and guardians to be alert and deliberate about the safety of their children, warning that minors should not be allowed near rivers, wells or swimming facilities in Oyo state without close supervision by responsible adults.
Ayanlade advised owners and occupants of buildings with wells to ensure that such wells are properly covered and securely sealed at all times. He noted that any damaged or corroded covers should be repaired immediately to prevent mishaps, adding that access to well areas should be restricted and locked when not in use.
He also encouraged operators of recreational facilities to employ trained instructors, lifeguards and swimming tutors, and to ensure that all necessary safety and rescue equipment are available and in good working condition at all times.
