The father of three siblings who were found dead at a farm around the Owena Army Barracks in Akure, Ondo State, Samuel Jonah, has appealed to the Federal Government and the Ondo State Government for financial assistance to enable him relocate to his hometown in Benue State.
Jonah made the appeal following the deaths of his children, Joshua, 11; his twin brother, Jacob, 11; and their five-year-old sister, Blessing, whose bodies were discovered near the bank of a small river within the farm on Saturday, September 5. The children had reportedly accompanied their father to the farm the previous day before leaving for home and were later discovered missing.
Speaking about the aftermath of the tragedy, Jonah said he had become emotionally distressed and was struggling to continue with his normal activities, including farming.
“As life is now, I don’t feel like going anywhere; I don’t feel like doing anything. The farm work that I do, I don’t feel like going there. I am totally confused in my life,” he said.
The bereaved father said he no longer wanted to remain in Akure following the incident, adding that he intended to return to his hometown in Benue State with his family and belongings.
Jonah said his decision was partly informed by his uncertainty over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of his children and his fear about what could happen to him or other members of his family.
He explained that relocating his family and belongings from Akure to his village would require substantial funds, adding that hiring a vehicle to transport his property could cost at least N1m.
He said, “I don’t want to remain in this town again. Nobody knows who killed the children or who dropped them there. I didn’t do anybody wrong, so I don’t know the next target of all my life.
“If I want to pack my load from here to my village, if I want to charter a vehicle for my own village, I don’t know the actual amount it will be. Because at least it will be like N1million or more.”
He appealed to the federal government and the Ondo State Government to come to the aid of the family, saying financial support would help him relocate and begin rebuilding his life after the loss of his children.
Jonah also confirmed that the three children had been buried at the barracks, adding that he had photographs from the burial.
The deaths had earlier been confirmed by the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, who said the command was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Command has not publicly disclosed the outcome of the investigation or established how the three siblings died.
