Six teenagers drowned in the Mbang River on Tuesday in Ribang (Mbang) village, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, while returning from a Junior WAEC exam around 5:30 p.m.
The victims, all students of Government Secondary School Fadan Chawai, were identified as Manasseh Monday (16), Musa John (16), Pius David (15), Monday Ayuba (16), David Danlami (19), and Yahuza Audu (16).
The National Public Relations Officer of Ribang Development Association, Pastor Simon Ishaku, confirmed the incident on Wednesday. He disclosed that three bodies have been recovered and buried, while three remain missing as locals continue their search.
“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 their exams, only to meet their untimely death,” Ishaku said. “The Mbang River has been a death trap for our people over the years. Before the community can access any school or hospital facility, they have to travel about 8 kilometers.”
He called on the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung, and local representatives to urgently assist the community with a school, hospital, access road, and bridge to alleviate their suffering.
The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment. Similarly, Mubarak Muhammad, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone One of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, said he would confirm the incident and provide further information but had yet to do so at the time of publication.
