A man in Ondo State is calling for a full investigation after his three children were found dead near a stream inside the 32 Artillery Brigade Army Barracks in Akure.
The deceased are 11-year-old twins, Joshua and Jacob Jonah, and their five-year-old sister, Blessing. Their father, Samuel Jonah, a farmer and security personnel at the barracks, believes foul play may be involved and doubts the drowning theory.
Jonah said the children had accompanied him and their mother to their farm on Friday, September 4. He left around noon to collect his salary and returned with his wife later. The children were told to play and return home by 6 p.m. When they did not show up by 8 p.m., he went back to search for them.
A joint search involving the family and military police continued into the next morning. The bodies were later discovered near a small stream close to their farm, covered with leaves. Jonah said he noticed blood coming from their ears and that their clothes were not very wet. He also questioned how all three could have drowned at the same time.
The children’s uncle, Mazi Hassan, described the incident as shocking and urged the government to investigate thoroughly. He noted that a similar incident had occurred in the barracks before.
Ondo Police spokesperson, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the incident and said the bodies were found near a small river within the farm. He added that investigations are ongoing. The spokesperson for the 32 Artillery Brigade Army Barracks, Omale Innocent, said police have taken over the case.
The cause of death has not yet been officially established. The family says they will continue to push for answers.
