Tragedy struck in Kaduna on Tuesday as six teenagers drowned in the Mbang River in Ribang (Mbang) village, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State. According to reports, the students who were returning from a Junior WAEC exam at about 5:30 p.m. had gone to the river to swim.
According to PUNCH Online, the victims were identified as Manasseh Monday (16 yrs), Musa John (16 yrs), and Pius David (15 yrs). Others were Monday Ayuba (16 yrs), David Danlami (19 yrs), and Yahuza Audu (16 yrs). The teenagers were students at Government Secondary School Fadan Chawai and were writing the West African Junior School examination.
The news of the incident has been confirmed by the National Public Relations Officer of Ribang Development Association, Pastor Simon Ishaku. He confirmed the news to PUNCH Online via a telephone on Wednesday. He stated that three of the dead bodies have already been recovered and buried amidst tears.
Ishaku said, “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.
Ishaku, however, stated that before the community can access any school or any hospital facility, they’ve to travel for about 8 kilometres.
He, therefore, used the opportunity to call both the State and Federal Government to come to their aid.
He said, “We’re calling on the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung and our House of Representative members. To as a matter of urgency, to kindly assist us with school, hospital and access road. They should construct a bridge across the river in order to bring succour to our community,” he pleaded.
However, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, has not responded to the incident.
According to PUNCH Online, calls and text messages sent to him were not answered.
source: PUNCH
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