By Bosede Olufunmi | Kano, Jan. 9, 2026
A devastating incident in Kano State has underscored the persistent and often overlooked danger of uncovered wells in communities. A two-year-old boy, Sa’idu Ahmad, tragically drowned in a well in Kwankwaso town, Madobi Local Government Area.
The Kano State Fire Service, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the tragedy occurred on Wednesday afternoon. The service received an emergency call at about 12:15 p.m., prompting an immediate dispatch of a rescue team.
“The victim was rescued unconscious from the well and was later handed over to Umar Shehu of the Madobi Police Division,” Abdullahi stated, adding that the cause of the incident remains under investigation.
A Disturbing Pattern Emerges
In a heartbreaking coincidence that reveals a broader public safety issue, the Fire Service reported a second, similar incident on the same day. In Karofawa Yan Kifi Village, Ghari Local Government Area, a 28-year-old man, Suleiman Sani, also fell into a well on Wednesday evening.
Despite the rapid response from the Ghari fire station, the outcome was fatal. “The victim was rescued unconscious and was later confirmed dead by his parents,” Abdullahi explained. The young man’s body was handed over to the Village Head of Karofawa, Alhaji Musa Aliyu.
Beyond the Headlines: The Silent Hazard of Unsecured Wells
While these incidents are reported as separate tragedies, they point to a common, preventable hazard. In many parts of Nigeria, wells remain a primary water source, but their safety is frequently compromised. Old, crumbling walls, lack of proper parapets, and, most critically, the absence of secure covers create lethal traps, especially for curious toddlers and during daily activities like fetching water.
The Kano State Fire Service’s plea in its statement is a crucial public safety reminder: “We extend our condolences to the families of the deceased and urge the public to ensure that wells are properly covered to prevent such tragic occurrences.”
Transforming Grief into Prevention: Practical Steps for Community Safety
To provide value beyond reporting the tragedy, communities and homeowners can take immediate, actionable steps:
- Secure Covers: Invest in sturdy, locked covers made of metal or reinforced concrete that cannot be easily moved by a child. Simple wooden planks or rusty metal sheets are insufficient.
- Create Barriers: Erect a fixed fence or wall at least 1.5 meters high around the well area with a locked gate.
- Supervision is Non-Negotiable: Young children must be actively supervised at all times in compounds with water sources. The concept of “just a minute” is often all it takes for disaster to strike.
- Community Awareness: Local leaders and ward heads can champion safety drives, inspecting wells and educating residents on low-cost securing methods.
- Consider Alternative Water Solutions: Where possible, communities should explore safer, modern water projects like boreholes with sealed hand pumps or piped water systems, which eliminate the open-well hazard entirely.
The loss of Sa’idu Ahmad and Suleiman Sani is an immense tragedy for their families and communities. Their stories must serve as a urgent catalyst for change, moving us from reactive grief to proactive prevention. Securing every open well is not just a recommendation—it is a moral imperative to protect the most vulnerable.
Source: NAN News (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
