Three children drown in abandoned fish pond in Delta

Three children aged six, eight, and 12 have drowned in an abandoned fish pond in Saniko Community, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The victims were identified as Great Anthony Ikpera, 6; Goodluck Anthony Ikpera, 8; and Vwegba Jite Ikpera, 12. They belonged to the Ikpera family from Awirhe Community, Agbarha-Otor.

The incident happened after their parents reported them missing on Saturday. A search began and continued into Sunday.

Rufus Ovotu, the President of the Agbarha Youth Council, and a family member, who asked to remain anonymous, told our reporter that the children’s bodies were found floating in the abandoned fish pond on Sunday morning.

The pond is near a flowing stream behind the community. It is not yet clear how the children ended up in the pond.

The bodies were recovered and buried beside the stream, according to local sources.

The community is in mourning. Many sympathisers have visited the family to offer their condolences.

Ovotu urged parents to watch their children closely. He advised them to keep kids away from streams and other dangerous water bodies, especially since water levels are currently high.

Attempts to get a response from the Delta State Police Command were not successful. Calls to its spokesperson, Bright Edafe, went unanswered. He also had not replied to a WhatsApp message sent to him by the time of this report.