11-year-old twins, 5-year-old sister found dead near Ondo river

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

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the tragic incident, which occurred on Friday, saying the circumstances surrounding the deaths were still being investigated.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said the victims had reportedly accompanied their father, Samuel Jonah, to the farm.

According to him, the deceased children were identified as Joshua and Jacob Jonah, both aged 11, and their five-year-old sister, Blessing Jonah.

Jimoh explained that the twins reportedly left the farm for home, but their absence was discovered when their father returned home and could not find them.

He said a search operation was subsequently launched for the missing children.

The police spokesperson said the bodies of the three siblings were eventually discovered on September 5 around the bank of a small river within the farm.

He stated: “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.

“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.

“Meanwhile, the bodies have since been taken by their father for burial.”

Jimoh, however, said the command was still documenting the circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing to establish the exact circumstances that led to the deaths of the children.

He assured that the police would continue to examine the available facts to determine what happened to the siblings before their bodies were found.

The command also expressed its condolences to the bereaved family over the tragic loss.

Jimoh urged parents and guardians to exercise greater vigilance over children, particularly around rivers, ponds and other bodies of water, to prevent similar tragedies.

“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,” he said.