The Kano State Fire Service has confirmed the tragic deaths of two middle-aged men who lost their lives after falling into a pit toilet while attempting to retrieve a mobile phone in Bazabe Quarters, Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State.
The heartbreaking incident, which occurred on Saturday, was disclosed in an official statement released on Sunday by the Fire Service Public Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Fire Operations (ACFO), Saminu Yusuf Abdullahi.
According to the statement, the Fire Service received a distress call at approximately 11:16 a.m. from one Inspector Auwalu, alerting them that two individuals had fallen into a toilet pit. A response team from the Fire Service unit in Takai Local Government Area was immediately dispatched to the scene to carry out a rescue operation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the first victim, identified as 40-year-old Usman Muhd, had accidentally dropped his mobile phone—locally referred to as Indon Kauye—into the pit toilet. In an attempt to recover the device, he entered the pit but was unable to get out.
In a bid to rescue him, another man, Ibrahim Inuwa, also around 40 years old, descended into the pit and managed to tie a rope around Usman, presumably to assist in pulling him out. Unfortunately, Ibrahim also lost consciousness during the process.
The rescue team arrived and pulled both men out of the pit toilet. However, both victims were already unconscious and were later confirmed dead.
The statement concluded that the deceased individuals’ bodies have been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of Albasu Local Government Area, DPO Kabiru Magawata, for further investigation and necessary procedures.
The incident has sparked concern over safety awareness and emergency response in rural communities, especially regarding hazardous rescues without professional support.