Nigerian artists condole with Davido after son’s death

Ifeanyi Adeleke reportedly drowned in the family pool at Davido’s Banana Island residence in Lagos on Monday, a few days after his third birthday.

“My heart and love go to David and Chioma,” rapper MI Abaga posted on Twitter. “I pray for your heart and mind during this period. You have endured so much loss brother. May God hold you in his arms and keep you through this.”

“Can you guys just pray for Davido and Chioma’s family and let them know we are here for them,” Waje said. “That’s all they need right now.”

“Woke up to this terrible news,” said Femi Kuti. “My deepest condolences to David and Chioma. Can’t even begin to imagine how they both must feel.”

Davido and fiancée Chioma Avril Rowland have yet to comment publicly about the incident, but the Lagos State Police Command confirmed the news to local press on Tuesday. 

“It is true, the child is dead,” police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin said. “About eight people were brought in for questioning and we are investigating the matter. Anyone found culpable in the death of the child would be arrested.”

In 2020, Davido famously posed with Ifeanyi on the cover of his third album A Better Time. In 2018, fellow Nigerian popstar D’banj was befallen by a similar tragedy when his 13-month-old son drowned in the pool at his Lagos residence.

Davido, who lost his mother at the age of 10, has had to grapple with the loss of close friends and associates in the past few years. In June, the musician lost his friend Habeeb Uthman, just a year after his photographer Fortunate Peter drowned during a photo shoot. His security guard Ogbeide Olamilekan also died after a short illness in 2020.

Speaking to Rolling Stone about their deaths in July, Davido revealed that writing his single ‘Stand Strong’ in May helped him cope with the pain of their unexpected demise.