Six teenagers returning home after writing their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), also known as ‘Junior WAEC,’ have reportedly drowned in the Mbang River in Ribang village, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

It was gathered that the six victims were students of Government Secondary School Fadan Chawai.

The tragic incident occurred around 5:30 pm on Tuesday, June 26.

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).

Though the Kaduna state government and the security operatives were yet to make a statement confirming the incident.

When contacted, the zonal coordinator of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) zone one, Mubarak Muhammad, said he would confirm the incident and get back to newsmen.

Meanwhile, the national public relations officer of Ribang Development Association, Simon Ishaku Chinge, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, disclosed that three dead bodies have already been recovered and buried amidst tears.

He explained that three other students are still missing and locals on search and rescue missions have not been able to recover them out of the river.

Chinge said: “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, noting before the community can access any school or any hospital facility they’ve to travel for about 8 kilometres.

“We’re calling on the federal government, Governor Uba Sani, Sen. Sunday Katung and our House of Representative members as a matter of urgency, to kindly assist us with school, hospital, access road and bridge to bring succour to our community.” Simon appealed.