Tragedy struck on Tuesday evening when six students drowned in the Mbang River in Ribang village, Kauru Local Council of Kaduna State, after writing their Junior West African School Examination (WAEC).
The victims, identified as Manasseh Monday, 16; Musa John, 16; Pius David, 15; Monday Ayuba, 16; David Danlami, 19; and Yahuza Audu, 16, were students of Government Secondary School, Fadan Chawai.
Confirming the development yesterday, spokesperson for Ribang Development Association (RDA), Simon Ishaku Chinge, said three bodies had been recovered and buried.
According to him, three students remained missing because locals were not able to recover them from the river.
He said: “The school children left their homes with excitement, while their parents went to the farm with the hope of reuniting with them after writing their exams. The Mbang River has been a deathtrap to our people over the years. Before the community can access any school or hospital facility, they have to travel for about eight kilometers.
“We’re calling on the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung and our House of Representatives member, as a matter of urgency, to kindly assist us with school, hospital, access road and a bridge to bring succour to our community.”
When contacted, spokesperson for Kaduna Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said eight students drowned after writing their examination, but two were rescued alive.
He said: “We received information from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Daman Kasuwa Division that eight students of GSS, Fadan Chawai, went missing yesterday.
“Investigation revealed that after writing their Junior WAEC exams in the School at about 5:00 p.m., they drowned in the river. Four corpses were recovered. Two of the students were rescued, while two are still missing.”
