Tragedy as 16-Year-Old Student Swept Away by Flood While Rushing to Check Exam Results

 

A promising 16-year-old student, Miss Praise Malachi, has died in Zaria, Kaduna State, after being swept away by floodwaters while hurrying home to check her Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) results.

Praise, a final-year student of Government Day Secondary School, Samaru, had just been informed by friends that she passed her exams with outstanding grades. Excited by the news, she hurried home after rainfall but tragically slipped while attempting to cross a flooded path created by severe erosion.

Her father, Emmanuel Malachi, recounted the heartbreaking moment:

“Around 6:00 pm, after the rain, her friends came to my shop to tell her that her SSCE results were out and that she had performed excellently. She rushed home to check on her phone, but while crossing the small river caused by erosion, she fell in and was carried away by the floodwaters. Her body was recovered the next day in Hunkuyi, Kudan Local Government Area.”

Community in Mourning

Neighbours, Danladi Mudi and Emma Yashi, said the erosion problem in the community has long been a danger to residents.

“Praise is not the first victim. Several lives have been lost here in the past because of flooding,” Yashi lamented.

A Brilliant Future Cut Short

Praise was described as one of the brightest students in her school. She had been awarded a scholarship by the Centre for Girls’ Education, Zaria, in recognition of her academic excellence.

The Centre’s Director, Habiba Mohammed, expressed deep sorrow at the loss:

“We are devastated. Praise was an exceptional student—disciplined, brilliant, and full of potential. She had already secured a scholarship from us to continue her education. Her death is a huge loss, not only to her family but to the community and the nation.”

Mohammed called on authorities to address the erosion menace in the area and construct a bridge to prevent further tragedies.

“This is a preventable loss. We appeal to the government to take urgent action to safeguard the lives of children and residents,” she added.

The death of Miss Praise Malachi has plunged her family, school, and community into grief, marking yet another devastating reminder of the dangers posed by unchecked flooding and erosion in Kaduna communities.