Blessing Bello, Reporting
AKURE — The bodies of three siblings have been discovered near a river on a farm around the Owena Military Barracks area of Akure, the Ondo State capital, in a tragedy that has left the family devastated.
The deceased have been identified as 11-year-old twins, Joshua and Jacob Jonah, and their five-year-old sister, Blessing Jonah.
According to reports, the children had accompanied their father, Samuel Jonah, to the farm on Friday before leaving for home ahead of him. Concern grew when the siblings failed to arrive home, prompting family members, neighbours and other residents to launch a search operation.
Their bodies were subsequently discovered on Saturday near the bank of a small river within the farm, the Ondo State Police Command confirmed.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said an investigation had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths.
“The Ondo State Police Command confirms the tragic loss of three siblings at a farm located around the Owena Army Barracks, Akure, on 4th September 2026,” Jimoh stated.
“The victims, identified as Joshua Jonah, 11 years; Jacob Jonah, 11 years, (twins) and Blessing Jonah, five years, reportedly accompanied their father, Samuel Jonah, to the farm.
They later left the farm for home, but were discovered missing when their father returned home.”
Jimoh disclosed that a search operation was immediately launched after the children were reported missing, leading to the discovery of their bodies the following day.
The police spokesperson said the children’s remains had been released to the family for burial, while efforts were ongoing to establish the exact cause of their deaths.
Sympathisers have been visiting the parents’ residence in the Oke Ogba area of Akure to offer their condolences as the family mourns the devastating loss.
Jimoh urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and wards, particularly when they are around rivers, ponds and other potentially hazardous water bodies.
The incident has reignited concerns about child safety in rural and farm areas, where water bodies pose significant drowning risks, especially for young children who may not be strong swimmers.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
