Three children from the same family have died after drowning in an abandoned fish pond in Saniko Community, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The victims, identified as Great Anthony Ikpera, six; Goodluck Anthony Ikpera, eight; and Vwegba Jite Ikpera, 12, were siblings from the Ikpera family in Awirhe Community, Agbarha-Otor.
According to reports, the tragic incident occurred after the children were declared missing by their parents on Saturday, prompting a search that continued into Sunday.
The children’s bodies were reportedly discovered floating in the abandoned fish pond on Sunday morning.
The pond is situated beside a flowing stream behind the community. However, the circumstances surrounding how the children entered the water had yet to be independently established at the time of reporting.
Rufus Ovotu, President of the Agbarha Youth Council, and a family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.
The bodies were subsequently recovered and buried beside the stream, while the incident plunged the community into mourning. Sympathisers have since visited the bereaved family to offer their condolences.
Reacting to the tragedy, Ovotu urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their children’s movements and prevent them from accessing streams, ponds and other dangerous water bodies.
He particularly warned residents to exercise caution amid rising water levels, which could increase the risks associated with swimming or playing near open water.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Delta State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, did not answer calls or respond to a WhatsApp message sent to him as of the time of filing the report.
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