Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A grieving father in Ondo State has rejected the suggestion that his three children drowned, demanding a thorough investigation into what he described as suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths. Samuel Jonah, whose 11-year-old twins Joshua and Jacob, and five-year-old daughter Blessing, were found dead near a stream on a farm within the 32 Artillery Brigade Army Barracks in Akure, said what he saw when he uncovered their bodies left him convinced that foul play was involved.
The tragedy unfolded on Friday, September 4, 2026, when the three children accompanied their parents to the farm. Jonah, who works as a farmer and security personnel within the barracks, told reporters that he left around noon to collect his salary and later returned with his wife. They told the children to keep playing and come home by 6 p.m. When Jonah and his wife returned home at 6 p.m., the children were not there. By 8 p.m., there was still no sign of them, so he took his motorcycle back to the farm and reported the matter to the Military Police.
A search was launched and continued into Saturday morning. The family also checked their church. The breakthrough came during prayers on Saturday when a soldier called Jonah back to the barracks. Soldiers led him to a small stream near his farm, where their bodies had been covered with leaves. "I removed the leaves myself. I was devastated. Those were my only children," he said.
But what he saw next raised his suspicion. "When I uncovered them, I saw blood coming from their ears. There was also blood on my youngest daughter's body. They were not very wet, and there was no water in their stomachs. I have never seen someone who drowned bleed like that," he alleged. "Three children cannot drown at the same time," Jonah declared. "I suspect bandits or other people may have been involved," he added.
Jonah said he has no direct proof but wants authorities to investigate thoroughly. "I asked how all three could die in water at the same time. I suspect bandits or some other people may have been involved," he said. The children's uncle, Mazi Hassan, described the incident as shocking and called for justice. "Three children from one family cannot just die like that. Government should investigate and bring those responsible to book," he said. Hassan also claimed a similar incident had occurred in the barracks before.
Confirming the incident, Ondo Police spokesperson DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the children had gone to the farm with their father before being reported missing. "A search was conducted and their bodies were found on September 5 near a small river within the farm. We are documenting the circumstances and investigation is ongoing," Abayomi stated. The bodies have since been released to the family for burial. The spokesperson for the 32 Artillery Brigade Army Barracks in Akure, Omale Innocent, said he learned of the case on social media and confirmed that police have taken over investigations.
As of press time, the cause of death has not been officially determined. The family insists they will not rest until they get answers. The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. The police said it was "diligently documenting all available facts and circumstances surrounding the unfortunate occurrence." Ohagwu also commiserated with the bereaved family, assuring them of the command's commitment to establishing all relevant facts surrounding the tragedy.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments