By Hadiza Yusuf
A 45-year-old man, Yusuf Usman, has died after getting trapped inside a well while trying to retrieve a mobile phone in Kwa Town, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning and was reported to the Kano State Fire Service at about 11:13 a.m.
According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the emergency team was alerted by one of its staff, Kabiru Tata, who reported the situation from the area.
Firefighters were immediately dispatched from the headquarters to the scene, where they found the man trapped inside a well that had been converted into a waste disposal pit.
“The victim had reportedly entered the well in an attempt to retrieve a mobile phone that had fallen inside but was unable to climb out,” the statement said.
The rescue team later brought him out of the well, but he was found unconscious.
“He was later confirmed dead, reportedly due to oxygen depletion and heat inside the well,” the statement added.
The body of the deceased was handed over to the Ward Head of Kwa Town, Alhaji Muktar.
The Fire Service said preliminary findings showed the incident occurred while the victim was trying to retrieve his phone.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, warned residents to take safety precautions around wells.
He urged community members to ensure that wells are properly covered and that abandoned ones are filled to prevent similar tragedies.
“We appeal to residents, especially parents and community leaders, to make sure wells are properly secured to avoid such incidents,” he said.
