A celebratory matriculation party turned tragic in Ondo State as two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), drowned in a hotel swimming pool.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident in a Tuesday statement, identifying the victims as Oludere Opeyemi, 22, and Adegbola Blessing, 19.
Police spokesman, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, detailed the sequence of events, stating that Adegbola Blessing was first found unconscious in the pool around 8:00 pm on January 29. The pool manager rescued him, and after first aid, the victim regained consciousness, was able to stand, and was taken home by friends.
“Shortly thereafter, another individual, Oludere Opeyemi, male, aged 22, was also discovered unconscious in the swimming pool. He was promptly rescued and rushed to the State Hospital, Ikare-Akoko, where he was later confirmed dead by medical personnel,” Jimoh stated.
Tragedy struck again the next morning. “Further developments occurred in the early hours of 30th January, 2026, at about 0700hrs, when the first victim, Adegbola Blessing, was reported to have also passed on,” the police added.
The Command has invited the hotel manager, Ayomide Badejo, and the pool manager for questioning. The case has been transferred to the police monitoring unit for a comprehensive investigation.
The remains of both students have been deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital, Ikare-Akoko, for autopsy as investigations continue. The incident has thrown the university community into mourning and raised serious questions about safety protocols at hospitality venues hosting student events.
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