Rapheala Ogbodo, a two-year-old pupil of Smiley Kids Montessori school in the Sangotedo area of Lagos, has been reportedly found dead in her school pool.

 

On Wednesday, a social media user with the name Ella on X called for justice over the death of her daughter, who she said left for school that day but did not return alive.

 

She accused the management of the school of having a hand in the death of her daughter alleging that the late pupil was electrocuted and thrown into the pool to make it look like an accident.

 

However, in a statement on Saturday, the Lagos state government said the school has been shut down to pave the way for a probe into the incident.

 

“The attention of the Lagos State Safety Commission has been drawn to the swimming pool accident that occurred at Smiley Kids Montessori, Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos, on Wednesday, 15th January 2025, which led to the death of a two-year-old female, Rapheala Ogbodo,” the statement reads.

 

The statement said officials of the state safety commission, office of education quality assurance, and ministry of education have visited the school to carry out a preliminary investigation and ascertain the cause of the incident.

 

Lanre Mojola, director-general of the commission, urged all school owners and caregivers to ensure compliance with safety regulations to prevent accidents in the state.

 

“While the school is presently under lock pending further investigation, the state government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim and expresses its commitment to preventing future occurrences,” Mojola said.

 

Mojola said further information would be made available upon the completion of investigations into the accident.