Eleven Kids Buried Alive in Nigeria Sand Pit Collapse

In Kaduna state, Nigeria, eleven children were killed and seven injured when a sand pit collapsed. The children, aged four to nine, were excavating sand for bricks. This incident brings attention to issues of child labor and the conditions of informal madrassas in the region, where children often face exploitation. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, reflecting broader concerns about child safety and labor practices in northern Nigeria.

In a tragic incident in northern Nigeria, eleven children were buried alive when a sand pit unexpectedly collapsed on Tuesday. The victims, aged between four and nine, were excavating sand to make mud bricks near Yardoka village in Kaduna state when disaster struck. Mansir Hassan, a spokesperson for the Kaduna state police, confirmed the event, stating that seven other children were injured and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

Hassan reported that local authorities and volunteers worked together to rescue the victims from the debris of the collapsed pit. An investigation is underway to determine if the children were coerced into labor, which could be classified as child labor under local laws. This situation raises serious concerns about the vulnerability of children in the region.

The children involved were associated with an informal madrassa, a type of Islamic religious school prevalent in largely Muslim northern Nigeria. Often, children from less fortunate backgrounds are sent to these schools to learn the Koran. Unfortunately, many of them end up begging on the streets or taking on low-paying jobs to cover school fees, which can lead to dangerous situations like this.

Efforts to modernize or reform traditional madrassa systems have struggled against pushback from local clerics who hold influence within the community. The deep-seated nature of these establishments can complicate attempts to provide better safety for these children. This incident is just one of many tragic events, as earlier this year in February, a fire at a madrassa in northwestern Zamfara state resulted in the deaths of 17 pupils and injured 17 others. This history highlights the ongoing need for reform and better protection for vulnerable children in such educational settings.

The collapse of the sand pit in Kaduna state resulting in the tragic loss of eleven young lives underscores serious issues surrounding child labor and safety in informal educational settings like madrassas. The community’s struggle with reform efforts against traditional norms demonstrates an ongoing challenge. With early-year incidents like the Kaduna incident and the recent fire in Zamfara, the urgency for protective measures and change in these communities is clearer than ever.

Original Source: thesun.my