A heartbreaking tragedy has struck Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, as 16-year-old Miss Praise Malachi, a final-year student of Government Day Secondary School, lost her life in a flood while hurrying home to check her recently released Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results.

 

According to her father, Emmanuel Malachi, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Thursday after heavy rainfall. Praise’s friends had visited his shop with news that she had excelled in her SSCE. Overjoyed, she rushed home to confirm the results on her phone but slipped while attempting to cross a swollen stream created by erosion. She was swept away by the raging floodwaters.

 

Her body was later recovered the next day in Hunkuyi, Kudan Local Government Area, several kilometers away.

 

Neighbours, including Danladi Mudi and Emma Yashi, lamented that flooding had become a recurring danger in the community due to unchecked erosion, noting that Praise was not the first victim to lose her life in such circumstances.

 

Praise, who had been described as one of the brightest students in her school, had recently secured a scholarship from the Centre for Girls’ Education, Zaria, to further her studies.

 

Habiba Mohammed, Director of the Centre, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing the deceased as an exceptional student of impeccable character.

 

“We are all in grief at the sad story of her death. She was such a wonderful child who was never involved in any questionable behaviour. I appeal to relevant authorities to urgently address the erosion menace and construct a bridge to save lives,” she said.

 

The tragic death of Praise has sparked renewed calls for government intervention in erosion control and infrastructure development in vulnerable communities across Kaduna State.