Three Siblings Found Dead Near River In Ondo

Three siblings, an 11-year-old twin pair and their five-year-old sister, were found dead near a river on a farm close to the Owena Military Barracks in Akure, the capital of Ondo State. The victims were identified as Joshua Jonah, Jacob Jonah, and Blessing Jonah. The children had been accompanying their father, Samuel Jonah, to the farm on Friday before they decided to head home ahead of him.

Concern arose when the siblings did not return home, leading to a search by family members, neighbors, and residents. Regrettably, their bodies were discovered on Saturday near the shoreline of a small river on the farm. The incident has left the family in deep sorrow and prompted people to pay their respects at the parents' residence in the Oke Ogba area of Akure to express their condolences.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the tragic loss of the three siblings in a statement on Sunday. He stated that an investigation had been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding their deaths. DSP Jimoh said the victims, Joshua and Jacob Jonah (twins), and Blessing Jonah, were reported to have accompanied their father Samuel Jonah to the farm.

However, they were found missing when their father returned from the farm. A swift search operation ensued after the children were reported missing, which led to the discovery of their bodies the following day. The remains of the children were released to their family for burial, while efforts continue to ascertain the exact cause of their deaths.

DSP Jimoh expressed sympathy for the bereaved family and urged parents and guardians to exercise greater vigilance when their children are around rivers, ponds, and other potentially dangerous water bodies.