The Elegushi Royal Family has announced the temporary closure of the Elegushi Beach following the tragic death of two postgraduate students of the University of Lagos at Elegushi Beach on June 5.

Speaking to the press at the Elegushi Palace, Lekki, on Saturday, the Asiwaju of Ikateland, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, who stood in as representative of the royal family said the closure of the beach was to make sure that operations are improved, while noting that an insurance system that would cover accidents instituted.

2 postgraduate students of the University of Lagos, Adesola Ogunmefun and Funmilayo Odusina had drowned on the beach on June 5 while celebrating wth friends.

While the state government had blamed poor safety facilities, the royal family noted that there were necessary measures to prevent accidents therefore the deaths were not caused by poor safety facilities.

The family however, condoled with the family of the deceased.

He said, “Two things happened and it is unfortunate that we may have to reopen wounds: The red flag was on as of the time the victims were going for swimming and our guards did warn them but they insisted.”

“Aside from that, immediately they were rescued, rather than allow our experts to do their recovery work, their friends hijacked them (the victims) from them (the operators) and drove them away. It is very sad and we once again commiserate with the families.”

“We may not have the best practices when it comes to beach management but I can tell you that the safety measures at the Elegushi Beach will be difficult to come by anywhere else. This is evidenced by the prompt response by our lifeguards who dived into the water to rescue the victims. None of them died on the spot as being peddled about.”

Adebayo Emuleomo