11 Children Die, Others Injured as Sand Heap Collapses in Kaduna

A tragic incident has rocked Yardoka community in Kaduna State, where 11 children lost their lives and several others sustained injuries following the collapse of a sand heap at a local excavation site.

The children, aged between four and nine, were reportedly digging sand for mud bricks on Monday as part of a community effort to assist their teacher in building a house when the heap suddenly gave way, burying them under rubble.

According to eyewitness accounts, the children were in the middle of excavating the sand pit when it caved in, trapping them beneath with no immediate rescue equipment or professional help available. Local rescue efforts proved unsuccessful, and the bodies of the victims were later recovered.

The deceased have been identified as Muntari Abdulkadir, Aliyu Abba, Ali Umar, Mubarak Haruna, Usain Isa, Yusuf Shafiu, Mujitafa Jibril, Yusha’u Saidu, Aliyu Abdu, Hamisu Mohammed, and Ali Abdulmomini—all from Yardoka and neighboring communities in Damau District.

Seven others—Umar Dini, Jibir Surajo, Usman Abdulmomini, Sagir Hussaini, Naziru Abdullahi, Aminu Alkasim, and Kabiru Lawal—were pulled out alive but with varying degrees of injuries. They are currently receiving treatment at the Yardoka Primary Healthcare Centre.

The Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said the police were informed at about 1:45 p.m. on Monday by the village head of Yardoka, Alhaji Lawal Damau.

“Sand had caved in at a local block site, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals, with several others sustaining injuries,” DSP Hassan said. “The victims were working at the site when the sand suddenly collapsed.”

Hassan further disclosed that an investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the tragedy. The Kaduna State Government and local authorities have been notified, and further updates are expected as the situation unfolds.

“This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for enforcing safety measures, especially at informal construction and excavation sites involving minors,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and those affected.”