Tragedy in Sokoto as excavation pit collapse claims lives of two young siblings.

Two brothers lost their lives on Wednesday morning after an excavation pit collapsed on them in Boyekai, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The victims, identified as Yahuza Ibrahim and Mubarak Dandare, both aged 11 and below, were reportedly digging for laterite alongside other children from the same family when the incident occurred around 10 a.m.
According to residents, the children had gone to a nearby site commonly used for sourcing building materials in preparation for the rainy season. They were under the guidance of an older sibling.
After gathering a heap of laterite, one of the children transported part of the load home using a donkey, while the others continued digging. Moments later, the pit suddenly caved in, 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 bodies of the two boys were later recovered and buried the same day in accordance with Islamic rites.
Another resident, Alhaji Alu Usha Boyekai, revealed that more than two children were present at the site during the incident. Some were rescued and are currently receiving treatment for injuries.
He added that similar tragedies had occurred in the past, recalling an incident in which a man died in a soil collapse just days before his wedding.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the dangers of unregulated excavation activities involving children in the community.