Six teenagers drowned in the Mbang river in Ribang (Mbang) village, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, while returning from a Junior WAEC exam.
The victims were identified as Manasseh Monday (16 yrs), Musa John (16 yrs), Pius David (15 yrs), Monday Ayuba (16 yrs), David Danlami (19 yrs), and Yahuza Audu (16 yrs) were students of Government Secondary School Fadan Chawai writing the West African Junior School Examination.
The National Public Relations Officer of Ribang Development Association, Pastor Simon Ishaku, who confirmed the incident to journalists on Wednesday, disclosed that three dead bodies had already been recovered and buried amidst tears.
He explained that, as of now, there are still three missing as locals have not been able to recover them out of the river.
“The school children left their homes full of hope and excitement while their parents went to the farm with the hope of reuniting with them after writing their papers of the day, only to meet their untimely death.
“The Mbang river has been a death trap for our people over the years, noting before the community can access any school or any hospital facility they’ve to travel for about 8 kilometres.
“We’re calling on the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung and our House of Representatives members as a matter of urgency, to kindly assist us with school, hospital, access road and bridge in order to bring succour to our community,” Simon pleaded.
When contacted, the Zonal Coordinator, of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency Zone One, Mubarak Muhammad promised to confirm the incident and get back to journalists.
