N1,000 Phone Reward Claims Lives of Kaduna Children in Pit Latrine
Three children have died after entering a pit latrine to retrieve a missing mobile phone for a promised N1,000 reward in Tudun Kusa village, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, leaving residents devastated and plunging the community into mourning.
The victims, identified as Najjashi, Mohammed and Ashafa, were aged between 12 and 15 and reportedly came from different families.
The councillor representing the area, Hashimu Muhammad, told DAILY POST that the youngest victim, Najjashi, entered the pit first after learning that the phone’s owner, identified as Murtala, had offered N1,000 to anyone who could recover it.
When Najjashi failed to respond, 13-year-old Mohammed, who had watched him enter, went inside in an attempt to find his friend.
However, Mohammed also stopped responding, prompting 15-year-old Ashafa to insist on entering the pit despite efforts to prevent him.
Muhammad said Ashafa was eventually allowed inside but equally failed to come out.
The councillor explained that the pit was initially a well that had dried up before being converted into a latrine.
As residents struggled to understand what was happening, an elderly man reportedly suggested lowering a chicken into the pit. The bird also died before reaching the bottom.
The children’s bodies were eventually recovered with a hook and buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
Following the incident, the pit latrine was sealed off.
Residents described the deaths as an unprecedented occurrence in their community, expressing shock over the loss of three young lives.
A three-day mourning period has since commenced in Tudun Kusa as families and neighbours grieve the children.
