Schoolgirl swept away by flood while rushing to see SSCE results

Tragedy struck in Zaria when 16-year-old Praise Malachi drowned in a flash flood while hurrying home to confirm her Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, which friends had told her were outstanding.

Praise, a final-year student at Government Day Secondary School, Samaru, had already secured a scholarship from the Centre for Girls Education (CGE) due to her exceptional academic record.

Her father, Emmanuel Malachi, recounted the heartbreaking moment.“It was around 6pm after rainfall, when my daughter’s friends came to my shop and informed her that her SSCE results were out and that she performed excellently well.

“After hearing the good news, Praise rushed home to check the results on her phone. And while crossing the small river caused by severe erosion she slipped and fell into it and was taken away by the floodwater.

“Her dead body was recovered the following day in far away Hunkuyi in Kudan Local Government Area,” he said.

Neighbours Danladi Mudi and Emma Yashi described the area as highly vulnerable to flooding because of severe erosion.“Praise was not the only child who died in the flood, several other lives had been claimed in the past,” Yashi said.

Habiba Mohammed, Director of the Centre for Girls Education, mourned the loss of one of the centre’s brightest scholars.“We are all in grief on the sad story of her death. She was such a wonderful child who is never involved in any wanting behaviour.

“I appealed to relevant authorities to quickly intervene by addressing the erosion problem and constructing a bridge on the road to save lives,” she said.

Zaria has suffered repeated flooding in recent months, with Chikaji among the worst-hit communities. On August 27, 2024, a flood disaster damaged over 200 houses, ravaged LEA Primary School and destroyed large portions of the Hayin Ojo Cemetery.

Residents continue to call for urgent government intervention and assistance from philanthropists to curb the recurring menace.

(DAILY TRUST)