Kaduna Community Remembers Six Students Who Drowned After Exam
The Ribang (Mbang) Community in Kaduna State marked the one-year anniversary of a devastating tragedy that claimed the lives of six promising students.
The students drowned in the Ribang River while returning home from their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), commonly known as Junior WAEC, on June 23rd, 2024.
“This devastating incident did not just rob us of our children, it painfully exposed the longstanding neglect and infrastructural decay in Ribang land. The absence of safe roads, functional bridges, and other basic amenities contributed directly to this catastrophe,” the National PRO, Ribang Community, Comrade Simon Ishaku Chinge, stated in a statement on Saturday.
The statement noted that although leaders across Kaduna State visited Ribang to commiserate with the grieving families and made promises to construct roads, build a bridge, and provide access to primary healthcare, none of these promises have been fulfilled.
“Many made heartfelt promises to construct roads, build a bridge across the Ribang River, establish schools, and provide access to primary healthcare. Yet, as we speak today one full year later none of those promises have been fulfilled,” the statement said.
It added, however, that a recent visit from the Kaduna State Ministry of Works, ordered by Governor Uba Sani, aimed to conduct a preliminary survey of the river and the road network, brought a glimmer of hope to the community.
“Though long overdue, we recognize this as a critical first step toward meaningful change, and we sincerely thank Governor Uba Sani for listening to the cries of our people and responding with action,” it said.
The statement added that the community fears for their safety, particularly with the Ribang River swelling and no bridge or safety infrastructure in place.
“In light of this, we make an urgent appeal to our elected leaders and all well-meaning individuals and organizations. We call upon: Senator Sunday Marshall Katung (Southern Kaduna Senatorial District),Hon. Murtar Zakari Chawai (Member, Kauru Federal Constituency, House of Representatives), Hon. Barnabas Maigona (Member, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Kauru Constituency) and Hon. Bashir Tanko Dawaki (Chairman, Kauru Local Government Area).
“We also called on non-governmental organizations (NGOs), humanitarian groups, and development partners to join hands with us in rebuilding Ribang land,” it said.
The community also called on the government to help provide a standard bridge across the Ribang River, motorable roads connecting Ribang to neighbouring communities, a functional primary healthcare center, and at least one standard primary and secondary school in the area.
It added that the absence of healthcare services continues to claim the lives of their people, especially pregnant women and children, while the lack of schools is denying their youth their right to education and a brighter future.
The statement noted that the presence of these basic amenities are essential for their survival and progress.
“We will never forget the six children we lost. They were not just students—they were our future. Let their untimely deaths serve as a wake-up call to all. No community should be left behind in a nation that prides itself on unity and progress.
“We express our profound gratitude to everyone who has stood with Ribang during this difficult time. Your prayers, visits, and words of comfort have meant more than words can say. But more than sympathy, we now need action. We call on all stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental to turn their promises into reality,” the statement said.
Kaduna Community Remembers Six Students Who Drowned After Exam is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
