Oyo Police Warn Residents Against Drowning Incidents, Urge Strict Water Safety Measures

The Oyo State Police Command has urged residents of the state to exercise extreme caution around rivers, streams, dams, swimming pools, and other water-related facilities in order to prevent accidental drowning. The warning was issued on Wednesday night amid rising concerns over recurring drowning incidents across the state.

In a statement released in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the command also advised church owners and religious organisations, particularly those whose worship centres are located near rivers, streams, or other natural water bodies, to adopt proactive safety measures during religious activities.

According to the police, the advisory became necessary following a series of tragic incidents recorded in different parts of the state in 2025. In June, officials of the Saki Zonal Command of the Oyo State Fire Service Agency recovered the remains of a two-year-old girl from a well at Orita Mokola Junction in Saki Local Government Area. Similarly, in November, the body of a 45-year-old man was retrieved from a well in Odo-Ogbo, Oja-Agbe area of Iseyin Local Government Area.

Ayanlade stressed that unsupervised access to water bodies, especially by children, should be strictly discouraged. He called on parents and guardians to be more vigilant and intentional about the safety of their wards, warning that children should not be allowed to visit rivers, wells, or swimming facilities without close adult supervision.

The police spokesman further advised owners and occupants of houses with wells to ensure that such wells are properly covered and securely locked when not in use. He noted that damaged or corroded well covers should be repaired immediately to prevent accidents.

Hotel owners, resort operators, and managers of recreational facilities were also reminded of their responsibility to ensure proper supervision of swimming pools, clear safety signage, and the availability of trained lifeguards, instructors, and functional rescue equipment at all times.