Three siblings have been confirmed dead at a farm located around the Owena Army Barracks, Akure in Ondo State, the Nigeria police spokesman in the State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh said in a statement.
The tragic incident that occurred on September 4, 2026, after the victims accompanied their father, Samuel Jonah, to a farm, but failed return home, and subsequently declared missing
Police identified the victims as Joshua Jonah and Jacob Jonah, 11-year-old respectively who were twins; and 5-year-old Blessing Jonah ― all were discovered around the bank of a small river within the farm.
Police investigation revealed that the children were said to have subsequently left the farm for home, but were discovered missing when their father returned home.
The statement reads partly, “The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the tragic loss of three siblings at a farm located around the Owena Army Barracks, Akure, on 4th September 2026.
“The children were said to have subsequently left the farm for home, but were discovered missing when their father returned home”, the statement said.
A search operation was thereafter conducted, and on 5th September 2026, the bodies of the three children were discovered around the bank of a small river within the farm, according to the police.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Felix Ohagwu, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
He stated that “the Command is diligently documenting all available facts and circumstances surrounding the unfortunate occurrence, with a view to establishing the exact circumstances leading to the children’s deaths”.
He commiserated with the bereaved family and assures them of the Command’s commitment to ensuring that all relevant facts surrounding the incident are thoroughly established.
The statement also urged members of the public, particularly parents and guardians, to exercise greater vigilance over children, especially around rivers, ponds, streams and other bodies of water, in order to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Editor’s note: The featured image on this post is used to illustrate the story.
