Three Siblings Found Dead Near River in Ondo Farm

Three siblings, including a pair of 11-year-old twins, have been found dead near the bank of a small river on a farm around the Owena Army Barracks in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident, which occurred on Friday, saying investigations were ongoing to establish the exact circumstances that led to the deaths.

The command's spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the children had gone with their father to the farm on the day of the incident.

“The victims, identified as Joshua and Jacob Jonah, both 11 years; and Blessing Jonah, five years, reportedly accompanied their father, Samuel Jonah, to the farm," Jimoh said in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, the twins were said to have left the farm for home, but their absence was only noticed when their father returned and could not locate them.

A search was immediately launched.

"A search was subsequently conducted and on September 5, the bodies of the three children were discovered around the bank of a small river within the farm," Jimoh said.

He added that the children's remains had since been released to their family.

"Meanwhile, the bodies have since been taken by their father for burial," he said.

Jimoh said the police command was still documenting details of the incident and would continue to examine available facts to determine what happened to the children before their bodies were found.

The command extended condolences to the family and called for greater caution around bodies of water.

"The command extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and urges members of the public, particularly parents and guardians, to exercise greater vigilance over children around rivers, ponds and other bodies of water," Jimoh said.