The Police Command in Ondo State has confirmed the death of three siblings at a farm located around the Owena Army Barracks in Akure South Local Government Area of the state. DSP Abayomi Jimoh, command’s Spokesperson, said the incident happened on Friday.
Jimoh said the victims included 11-year-old twins who left the farm for home, but were discovered missing when their father returned home. “The victims, identified as Joshua and Jacob Jonah, both 11 years; and Blessing Jonah, 5 years, reportedly accompanied their father, Samuel Jonah, to the farm. A search was subsequently conducted and on Sept.5, the bodies of the three children were discovered around the bank of a small river within the farm.”
The bodies have since been taken by their father for burial. The command is continuing to document the circumstances surrounding the incident, while investigation is ongoing to establish the exact circumstances leading to their death. The police urged parents and guardians to exercise greater vigilance over children around rivers, ponds and other bodies of water.
The winners: none. The losers: the family of the three children, who have suffered a devastating loss; and the Nigerian public, who are reminded of the dangers facing children.
Bottom Line: Three children are dead. Their bodies were found near a river. The question is whether the investigation will determine the cause of death or the case will remain a mystery.