Brilliant teen drowns in flood while rushing to confirm SSCE results

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

Praise, celebrated for her academic excellence, had already secured a scholarship from the Centre for Girls Education (CGE). Friends who had seen her results told her she performed exceptionally well — news that sent her rushing home with excitement.

Her father, Emmanuel Malachi, shared the painful account of the final moments leading to her death:

“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.