Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Two children tragically lost their lives after being buried alive when an excavation site collapsed on them in the Boyekai community of Goronyo Local Government Area, Sokoto State, on Wednesday, April 29.
Daily Trust gathered that the incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. while the children, Yahuza Ibrahim and Mubarak Dandare, were digging for laterite, a type of soil used for building and home repairs.
According to eyewitness accounts, the children had accompanied their elder brother to a popular excavation site where residents of the community often go to source construction and repair materials.
The elder brother, who was present at the site, managed to escape unhurt. He immediately rushed to inform their parents and draw the attention of other community members to the scene.
Community members mobilised quickly, and the remains of the children were exhumed from the debris.
The victims were aged 11 and below, with local reports indicating that the two deceased were siblings.
Another resident, Alhaji Alu Usha Boyekai, confirmed the incident, noting that more than two children were involved. According to him, some of them were rescued and are currently receiving treatment for various degrees of injuries at a hospital.
“The incident occurred in the morning when these children went to excavate laterite at a site within the Boyekai area. As they were digging, the soil caved in on them. We rushed to the scene, removed, and buried them according to Islamic rites,” an eyewitness, Malam Sani Umar, told Daily Nigerian.
Locals described the site as a common spot where residents dig to extract laterite for use in construction and home repairs. The accident underscores the growing risk posed by unregulated excavation pits in rural communities, which are often left open and unattended after use.
The incident occurred as residents intensified home repairs and construction activities ahead of the rainy season, a period when many families undertake such projects to avoid being caught by bad weather.
The deaths have renewed calls on the local government and relevant authorities to regulate or monitor excavation activities, especially spots close to residential areas, to prevent further tragedies.
Efforts to get an official comment from the Goronyo Local Government Council chairman were unsuccessful at the time of this report, as his known telephone line was not connecting.
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