Fans and loved ones are sending their condolences to Nigerian superstar Davido and his fiancée Chioma Rowland over the loss of their son. According to BBC, 3-year-old Ifeanyi Adeleke drowned in a swimming pool at their family home in Lagos on Monday, Oct. 31. The young boy was seen dancing in a video taken by his dad a day before his birthday on Oct. 20.
Lagos State Police are questioning eight members of the couple’s domestic staff, says spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin. All were reportedly present at the house when the incident took place. Hundeyin told the outlet one of the staff members called authorities around 6 p.m. that night.
“We are reviewing the CCTV cameras to get additional information about the circumstances of his death. His body has been deposited in the morgue,” he said. “We are in touch with his parents. In fact, they were with us last night.”
As the news spread around social media, fellow artists and influencers sent their condolences to the family. “Prayers up for Chimoa and Davido,” wrote British-Jamaican rapper Stefflon Don.
UK native Skept wrote, “Prayers @davido” with an emoji of two hands together, which represents praying.
Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi also spoke out about the tragic incident, while trying to empathize with the parents. He said, “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,” he added.
Davido, whose birth name is David Adeleke, is one of the biggest mainstream artists from Nigeria. The 29-year-old has worked with the likes of Lil Baby, Summer Walker, Popcaan, DaBaby, and Chris Brown. Meanwhile, Rowland is a global influencer and chef known for sharing her culinary skills on YouTube. Neither have released a statement regarding their son, who appeared as a newborn on the cover of Davido’s 2020 album, “A Better Time.”
The Afrobeats star also has two daughters from previous relationships, Imade Aurora Adeleke, 7, and Hailey Veronica Adeleke, 5.
Further details on how Ifeanyi drowned are scarce at the moment, but more questions have been raised due to a viral video. On Friday, Oct. 28, an entertainment site called Linda Ikeji’s Blog shared a video of Davido giving Ifeanyi swimming lessons in the pool.
“Swimming with daddy after school,” he wrote over the clip of himself holding his son above water by his arms.
Fans in the comments admired Davido for sharing precious moments with Ifeanyi. But a few expressed concern that the toddler did not have on a life jacket.
“I admire his time management skills. Despite his busy schedules he creates time for family,” said one person. Another said, “He need a life jacket always, you can’t trust kids.”
