Nigerian Afropop star Davido and his partner Chioma Rowland are mourning the death of their three-year-old son Ifeanyi, after a drowning accident at their home in Lagos, according to the Daily Mail, which cites “various reputable news outlets.” The couple was reportedly not at home, and the child was reportedly underwater for “a very long time” before being discovered.
A Lagos State Police Command spokesperson said, “Domestic staff at Davido’s home have been taken to the station to give their own account of what happened. I wouldn’t call that arrest yet. If after they all give their own account of what happened and after preliminary investigations, if anyone of them is found culpable, the person will now be placed under arrest.”
Davido trended on Twitter as fans expressed their dismay and shared their condolences with the “Stand Strong” singer, whose 2020 album A Better Time was one of several credited with helping to advance Afropop’s popularity stateside. Last month, Davido joined Burna Boy and Wizkid as one of the headliners of the Lost In Riddim Festival in San Jose, further cementing his status as one of the biggest Afropop representatives in the US.
Prayers up for Chioma and Davido
— 1DON (@stefflondon) November 1, 2022
Devastating news this morning. My thoughts are with Davido and Chioma, as well as Takeoff’s loved ones.
— TONI TONE (@t0nit0ne) November 1, 2022
Prayers
@davido
— Big Smoke – (@Skepta) November 1, 2022
My deepest condolences to Davido and Chioma, this is a loss that no one should ever have to go through. Sending all my light and my loudest prayers to the Family
— Pheelz
(@Pheelz) November 1, 2022
Davido has two other children, both girls, from previous relationships.