Ondo: Two drown in swimming pool during party

Two young men have been confirmed dead in Akungba-Akoko, in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, following a swimming pool incident at a hotel in the community.

The incident, which occurred at Unibercity Lounge and Hotel, Akungba-Akoko, during a swimming pool party organised by the hotel for newly matriculated students, claimed the lives of the two young men.

It was gathered that the pool manager, identified as Shittu, found one of the victims, Adegbola Blessing, lying unconscious in the pool around 8:00 p.m. and rescued him after administering first aid.

The 19-year-old was said to have regained consciousness and later left the hotel premises to return home after he was resuscitated.

However, it was further gathered that another victim, Oludare Opeyemi, aged 22, was found floating in the pool a few minutes after the first incident.

Opeyemi was subsequently rescued and rushed to the hospital, but was confirmed dead by doctors on duty, and his remains were deposited at the hospital morgue.

The incident was reported at the police station in the area, while the hotel manager and the pool manager were invited for interrogation. It was later discovered that the first victim, Adegbola Blessing, died a few moments after getting home.

The remains of the two deceased persons have been deposited at the State Hospital, Ikare-Akoko morgue for preservation and autopsy.

Operatives of the Akungba Divisional Police Station were promptly deployed to the scene to commence an investigation, while the hotel manager and the pool manager were invited for questioning.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the development, said investigations were ongoing.

Jimoh explained that on January 29, 2026, a report was received at the Akungba Divisional Police Headquarters from Shittu, the pool manager of Unibercity Lounge and Hotel, Akungba-Akoko, regarding an unfortunate incident that occurred during a swimming pool party organised by the hotel for newly matriculated students.

According to the report, at about 2000 hours on the same date, Adegbola Blessing, a 19-year-old male, was discovered unconscious inside the hotel’s swimming pool. He was immediately rescued by the pool manager and administered first aid. The victim reportedly regained consciousness, was able to stand, and was subsequently taken home by his friends.

Shortly thereafter, another individual, Oludare Opeyemi, a 22-year-old male, was also discovered unconscious in the swimming pool and was promptly rescued and rushed to the State Hospital, Ikare-Akoko, where he was later confirmed dead by medical personnel.

He stated that following the report, operatives of the Akungba Divisional Police Station were promptly deployed to the scene on the night of the incident to commence investigations.

The police spokesperson disclosed that the hotel manager, Ayomide Badejo, alongside the pool manager, were invited for questioning as part of the preliminary investigation.

He said that further developments occurred in the early hours of January 30, 2026, at about 0700 hours, when the first victim, Adegbola Blessing, was reported to have also died.

Consequently, the case was transferred to the Command’s Monitoring Unit for discreet, thorough and comprehensive investigation. The remains of the deceased persons have been deposited at the State Hospital, Ikare-Akoko morgue for preservation and autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation process.

He, however, advised all hotel owners and operators across the state to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of their guests by putting in place adequate and functional safety measures within their facilities, with particular emphasis on swimming pool areas.

He stressed the importance of installing appropriate safety equipment, ensuring proper supervision and restricting unauthorised access where necessary, in strict compliance with existing state regulations, in order to prevent avoidable incidents and avert a recurrence of such unfortunate occurrences.