25 June, 2025
Taiwo Ogunniyi
What began as a routine day in Bazabe village, Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State, ended in tragedy as two men lost their lives trying to recover a mobile phone that had fallen into a pit latrine.
The victims, Usman Muhammed and Ibrahim Inuwa, both in their 40s, died from suffocation before help could reach them.
According to a statement from the Kano State Fire Service, the incident occurred on Sunday morning. The spokesman, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed that the agency received a distress call at about 11:16 am from one Inspector Auwalu, reporting that two men were trapped inside a latrine.
“Our men from the Takai Fire Station were immediately dispatched to the scene. Preliminary findings showed that Muhammed entered the pit latrine to retrieve his phone but became trapped. In a bid to rescue him, Inuwa tied a rope around his waist and descended into the same latrine. Sadly, he also got stuck,” Abdullahi said.
He added that by the time both men were pulled out, they were already unconscious. They were rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors confirmed them dead on arrival.
The matter has since been reported to the Divisional Police Office in Albasu for further investigation.
Abdullahi used the opportunity to advise the public to seek professional help in emergencies rather than taking risky decisions. “Incidents like this are tragic reminders that certain emergencies require trained responders. Always call for help first,” he cautioned.
