Three children die in Kaduna pit latrine while trying to retrieve mobile phone for N1000 reward
Tragedy struck Tudun Kusa village in the Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday, as three children died after falling into a pit latrine while attempting to retrieve a mobile phone.
The deceased—Najjashi, 12; Mohammed, 13; and Ashafa, 15—reportedly entered the pit sequentially, prompted by an offer of 1,000 naira from a resident, Murtala, for anyone who could recover his lost Android phone.
Hashimu Muhammad, the local councillor, confirmed that the children hailed from different families. He recounted that Najjashi, the youngest, was the first to enter the pit. “Murtala promised to give 1,000 naira to any child who could retrieve his phone. This prompted Najjashi to enter the pit, but shortly after, there was silence,” Muhammad said.
When Najjashi did not respond, Mohammed followed him into the pit, believing him to be in trouble. Ashafa, concerned about his friends, insisted on entering as well. “After Mohammed entered, we also heard nothing from him. People began shouting, and residents started gathering. Ashafa insisted that he must be allowed to enter to see what had happened to his friends,” Muhammad explained. “He was only permitted to go in after much difficulty, but he too did not come out.”
In an effort to understand the situation, residents tried to lower a chicken into the pit on the suggestion of an elderly man, but the bird died before reaching the bottom.
The bodies of the three children were later recovered using a hook and subsequently buried in accordance with Islamic rites. The pit latrine has since been sealed to prevent further incidents.
Community members described the event as an unprecedented tragedy, expressing deep shock at the loss of three children simultaneously. “We have never witnessed a tragedy like this. We are deeply shocked,” one resident said.
In response to the incident, the village has commenced a three-day mourning period to honor the victims.
