Three children aged six, eight and 12 reportedly drowned in an abandoned fish pond in Saniko Community, Agbarha-Otor, in Delta State’s Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The children were identified as Great Anthony Ikpera, six; Goodluck Anthony Ikpera, eight; and Vwegba Jite Ikpera, 12. They belonged to the Ikpera family from nearby Awirhe Community. Their parents reported them missing on Saturday, prompting a search that continued into Sunday, October 11.
Agbarha Youth Council President Rufus Ovotu and a family member, who requested anonymity, said the children were found in the pond on Sunday morning. The pond is beside a flowing stream behind the community. The circumstances in which the children entered the water have not been independently established. According to the sources, their bodies were recovered and buried beside the stream.
Residents and sympathisers have visited the bereaved family to offer condolences. Ovotu urged parents to monitor their children’s movements and prevent them from approaching streams and other potentially dangerous water bodies, particularly while water levels remain high.