No fewer than six teenagers have been reported to have drowned on Tuesday in Ribang (Mbang) village, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State
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), all students of Government Secondary School Fadan Chawai.
They were returning from a Junior WAEC exam at about 5:30 p.m.
The National Public Relations Officer of Ribang Development Association, Pastor Simon Ishaku, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, disclosed that three dead bodies have 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 Representative 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 appealed.
When contacted, the Zonal Coordinator, of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency Zone 1, Mubarak Muhammad, said he would confirm the incident later in the day.
