SIX students have reportedly drowned in the Mbang river in Ribang village, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, while returning from a Junior West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exam.
According to Punch Newspaper, the incident happened on Tuesday at about 5:30 p.m.
The cusualties, who were students at Government Secondary School Fadan Chawaiwere were identified as Manasseh Monday (16), Musa John (16) Monday Ayuba (16), David Danlami (19), Yahuza Audu (16) and Pius David (15).
According to the National Public Relations Officer of the Ribang Development Association, Simon Ishaku, a cleric, who confirmed the tragedy to PUNCH on Wednesday, three dead bodies have already been retrieved and buried amid tears.
He clarified that the three missing victims had yet to be retrieved.
“The Mbang river has been a death trap for our people over the years,” noting that before the community can access any school or any hospital facility, they will travel for about eight kilometres.
“We’re calling on the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung and our House of Representative members as a matter of urgency, to kindly assist us with school, hospital, access road and bridge in order to bring succour to our community,” Simon pleaded.
The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, did not respond to calls and messages sent to him when filing this report.
The ICIR reported in August 2022 that four students of Kuramo Senior College, Lekki, who were celebrating the completion of their exams, drowned in Elegushi Beach in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred when ten secondary school leavers, aged 14 to 15 years, went to the beach to celebrate the completion of their West African Senior School Examination (WASSCE).
A reporter with the ICIR
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