A routine trip to a farm in Akure, Ondo State, has ended in tragedy for a family after three siblings, including an 11-year-old set of twins, were found dead near a stream on the property.
The deceased children were identified as Joshua Jonah and his twin, Jacob, both aged 11, and their five-year-old sister, Blessing.
The children had reportedly accompanied their father, Samuel Jonah, to the farm around the Owena Army Barracks on Friday. They later left the farm for their home, but their father was said to have discovered that they had not arrived after he returned.
Concerned by their disappearance, the family and others reportedly commenced a search for the siblings.
The search ended in sorrow on Saturday when the three children were found dead close to the bank of a small river within the farm.
The development threw the family into mourning, with relatives, neighbours and sympathisers gathering at the parents’ residence in the Oke Ogba area of Akure to commiserate with them.
Confirming the deaths, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the command had opened an investigation to determine how the children died.
Abayomi said the children had gone to the farm with their father before they subsequently disappeared.
According to the police spokesman, “The Ondo State Police Command confirms the tragic loss of three siblings at a farm located around the Owena Army Barracks, Akure, on 4th September 2026.
“The victims, identified as Joshua Jonah, 11 years; Jacob Jonah, 11 years, (twins) and Blessing Jonah, five years, reportedly accompanied their father, Samuel Jonah, to the farm.
“They later left the farm for home, but were discovered missing when their father returned home.”
The PPRO explained that a search operation was launched after the children were reported missing, leading to the discovery of their bodies the next day.
He added, “A search was subsequently conducted and on 5th September 2026, the bodies of the three children were discovered around the bank of a small river within the farm.”
Abayomi said the bodies had been handed over to their father for burial, while the command continued its investigation and documentation of the case.
He stated, “The command is continuing to document the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident, while investigation is ongoing to establish the exact circumstances leading to their death.”
The police spokesman expressed sympathy with the bereaved family and advised parents and guardians to keep a close watch on children, particularly when they are around rivers, ponds and other potentially dangerous bodies of water.
The deaths have left the family and residents in grief, as the police investigation continues to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three siblings.