From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
It was a black Wednesday for residents of Ribang (Mbang) village, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, as six teenagers drowned in the Mbang river on Tuesday while returning from a Junior WAEC examination at about 5:30 p.m.
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).
The deceaseds 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 the media via telephone on Wednesday, that three dead bodies have already been recovered and buried amidst tears.
He explained that, as of now, there are still three bodies 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.
He said the Mbang river has been a death trap for the people over the years, noting that before the community can access any school or any hospital facility, they have to travel for about 8 kilometers.
“We’re calling on the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung, and our House of Representative members to kindly assist us with school, hospital, access road, and bridge to bring succor to our community,” Simon appealed.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Mansir Hassan said the bodies of four of the students were recovered.
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