In a tragic incident on Tuesday, six teenagers drowned in the Mbang river in Ribang village, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The teenagers of Government Secondary School Fadan Chawai students were returning home after writing their Junior West African Junior School Examination (WAEC) exams when the tragedy occurred around 5:30 PM.
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). Three bodies have been recovered and buried, but three others remain missing, as locals continue efforts to retrieve them from the river.
Comrade Simon Ishaku Chinge, the National Public Relations Officer of Ribang Development Association, expressed sorrow over the incident, highlighting the longstanding danger posed by the Mbang river to the community.
He called urgently on government officials including the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Sen. Sunday Katung, and their House of Representatives member to intervene.
Specifically, he appealed for support in building schools, hospitals, access roads, and bridges to enhance safety and development in the area.
As of the latest update, there has been no statement from the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer regarding the incident.
Similarly, the Zonal Coordinator of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Zone one, Mubarak Muhammad, indicated he was awaiting further details to provide an update.
The incident has cast a pall of grief over the community, prompting calls for urgent measures to prevent such tragedies in the future and improve infrastructure in the area.
