Two brothers died on Wednesday morning when an excavation pit collapsed on them in Boyekai, Goronyo LGA, Sokoto State.
Yahuza Ibrahim and Mubarak Dandare, both 11 and under, were digging for laterite with other children from the same family when the pit caved in around 10 a.m.
Residents said the children had gone to a local site commonly used for sourcing building materials ahead of the rainy season. They were led by an elder brother.
After heaping a pile of laterite, one child took part of the load home on a donkey. The others kept digging. The pit suddenly collapsed, burying them.
“People were nearby, but no one realised what had happened at first,” said Yahaya Boyekai, a resident. “By the time they noticed and rushed to rescue them, it was already too late.”
The boys were pulled out dead and buried the same day in line with Islamic rites.
Another resident, Alhaji Alu Usha Boyekai, said more than two children were at the site. Some were rescued and are receiving treatment for injuries.
He said similar incidents had occurred before, recalling a man who died in a soil collapse years ago shortly before his wedding.
The tragedy has reignited fears over unregulated excavation by children in the community. [Daily Trust, rewritten report]
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