Three children drown in fish pond in Delta

Three children have drowned in an abandoned fish pond in Delta State.

The victims, who were from the same extended Saniko family in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, were identified as Great Anthony Ikpera, 6; Goodluck Anthony Ikpera, 8; and Vwegba Jite Ikpera, 12. They were all members of the Ikpera family of Awirhe Community in Agbarha-Otor.

The incident has thrown the community into mourning, with sympathisers visiting the bereaved families to offer condolences.

Their disappearance prompted an immediate search by family members and residents, but initial efforts to locate them proved unsuccessful.

The search ended in tragedy when their lifeless bodies were discovered floating in an abandoned fish pond near a flowing stream behind the community.

The incident has left residents of Agbarha-Otor devastated as the families mourn the loss of the three children.

According to the President of the Agbarha Youth Council (AYC), Coach Rufus Ovotu, and a family member who spoke on condition of anonymity, the children were reported missing on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

It was suspected that the children might have gone to the pond to swim before the incident occurred.

The bodies were subsequently recovered and reportedly buried near the stream.

Ovotu advised parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their children’s movements, particularly around rivers, streams and other water bodies.

He warned that rising water levels posed serious dangers to children and urged parents to prevent them from visiting such locations without adult supervision.