The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the tragic deaths of three siblings whose bodies were discovered near a river on a farm in the Owena Military Barracks area of Akure, the state capital. The deceased have been identified as 11-year-old twins Joshua and Jacob Jonah, and their five-year-old sister, Blessing Jonah.
According to the state police spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, the children had accompanied their father, Samuel Jonah, to the farm on Friday, September 4, 2026. At some point, the three children left the farm ahead of their father to head home, but they never arrived at their destination.
Search and Discovery of the Bodies
When Samuel returned home and found the children missing, an alarm was raised. Family members, neighbours, and residents of the area immediately organised a search, which continued throughout the night. The following day, Saturday, the children's bodies were found close to the bank of a small river within the farm.
Jimoh made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, September 6, 2026, as reported by Channels Television. In the official statement, he said: "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."
Police Confirm Investigation and Condolences
Jimoh added that once the children were reported missing, a search operation was immediately launched, and the discovery of the bodies followed the next day. He confirmed that the remains had been released to the family for burial, while investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death.
The police spokesperson offered condolences to the bereaved family and used the occasion to appeal to parents and guardians across the state. He urged parents to keep a close watch on their children, particularly in areas close to rivers, ponds, and other water bodies that could pose danger.
Family Grief and Community Response
The deaths have left the family in deep grief. Sympathisers gathered at the family's home in the Oke Ogba area of Akure to commiserate with the parents following the discovery of the children's bodies.
In a related incident, Legit.ng reported that a Celestial Church of Christ evangelist, Abidemi Odukoya, and his wife, Adenike, died following a reported altercation at their home in Ogun State. Neighbours said they were alerted by cries for help around 1 am on August 25 and found Adenike lying in a pool of blood inside the house. The Ogun police command confirmed the incident and disclosed that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of both deaths.
