The father of three siblings found dead near a stream within a farming area inside the 32 Artillery Brigade Army Barracks in Akure, Ondo State, has narrated how the tragedy unfolded, describing the circumstances surrounding the incident as suspicious.
The public Square had earlier reported that three siblings — Joshua Jonah and Jacob Jonah, both 11-year-old twins, and their five-year-old sister, Blessing — were found dead near a stream after they were declared missing.
Speaking with the father of the deceased children, Samuel Jonah, recounted the events that led to the discovery of their bodies.
Jonah, a native of Benue State who has lived in Akure since 2003, said he worked as a farmer within the barracks and had often taken his children to the farm without experiencing any problems.
According to him, the children accompanied him and their mother to the farm on Friday. He said he left the farm around noon to collect his salary as a security worker and returned.
“When I returned, I told them that their mother and I would be going home, and that they could continue playing around but should return home by 6 p.m. Their mother and I later went somewhere. By 6 p.m., we returned home, but I did not see my children,” he said.
The grieving father explained that after waiting for several hours without seeing the children, he became worried and began searching for them.
“By 8 p.m. on Friday, they had still not returned home. I began to think that something was wrong. I took my motorcycle and rushed to the farm,” he said.
Jonah said he reported the matter to Military Police officers at the barracks and later attempted to report at a nearby police station but could not get immediate assistance.
According to him, the search continued into Saturday morning, while he and his wife also checked their church and contacted their pastor, hoping the children might have been with members of the congregation.
He said a breakthrough came while he was praying when a soldier called and asked him to return to the barracks immediately.
“I ran from the prayer ground to the barracks and met the soldiers. There is a small stream near my farm. When I got there, they held me back for a while. Army officers interviewed me and asked whether I had any problem with anybody. I told them I did not have any problem with anyone,” he said.
Jonah said an officer later informed him that the children had died in the water.
“I asked them how it was possible for my three children to die in the water at the same time. When I got there, they had covered their bodies with leaves. I removed the leaves with my own hands. I was deeply pained because those were my only children,” he said.
The bereaved father, however, expressed doubts about the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“When I uncovered them, I saw blood coming out from their ears. I also saw blood coming from the body of my youngest daughter. I have never seen someone die in water and bleed like that.
“There was no water in their stomachs and they were not very wet. I do not think they died through drowning. Something must have happened to them. I suspect bandits or some other people may have been involved,” he said.
While stressing that he had no direct evidence against anyone, Jonah said he believed a thorough investigation was necessary.
“This is my suspicion, but I did not see anybody. I do not know anybody in particular to suspect. There are neighbours around the farm, and some of them are soldiers, but we do not have any proof against anyone yet,” he stated.
Calling on the government to intervene, Jonah said he lacked the resources to pursue the matter on his own.
“I do not have money to pursue any case against the military. My children died inside a military environment, and I cannot just walk up to the commander or the Army authorities by myself.
“I have decided to leave everything in God’s hands. But if the government can investigate this incident and uncover whoever is behind it, I will be grateful,” he said.
The deceased children’s uncle, Mazi Hassan, also described the incident as shocking and demanding justice for the family.
“I heard that a set of twins had died in the barracks, so I decided to come and confirm what really happened. This is not the first time something like this has happened in the barracks,” he said.
Hassan claimed that a similar incident had occurred in the past within the barracks and urged authorities not to ignore the latest tragedy.
“They were twins. Three children from one family cannot just die like that. The government should investigate this matter thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
He added that the military should take immediate action by conducting a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“It is very surprising that something like this happened inside a military zone. They should carry out a thorough investigation into what happened and determine exactly how this incident occurred,” he added.
Police authorities have since commenced an investigation into the incident.