The Oyo State Police Command, has advised residents of the state to exercise extreme caution around rivers, streams, dams, swimming pools, and other water-related facilities to prevent accidental drowning.
A statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, in Ibadan, the state capital, also admonished church owners and religious organisations, particularly those whose worship centres are located close to rivers, streams, or other natural water bodies, to take proactive safety measures during religious activities.
The advice became imperative following a series of similar tragedies recorded across the state in 2025.
In June 2025, officials of the Saki Zonal Command of the state Fire Service Agency recovered the remains of a two-year-old girl from a well at Orita Mokola Junction in the Saki Local Government Area of the state.
In November 2025, the body of a 45-year-old man was retrieved from a well in Odo-Ogbo, Oja-Agbe, in the Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking further, the state PPRO said unsupervised access to nearby water bodies, especially by children, should be strictly discouraged.
He said, “Members of the public are hereby urged to exercise extreme caution around rivers, streams, dams, swimming pools, and other water-related facilities to prevent accidental drowning.
“Church owners and religious organisations, particularly those whose worship centres are located close to rivers, streams, or other natural water bodies, are advised to take proactive safety measures during religious activities and ensure adequate supervision to prevent accidental drowning.
