11 Kids Buried Alive in Nigeria Sand Pit Collapse
KANO: Eleven children were buried alive while excavating sand in northern Nigeria when a pit collapsed on Tuesday, police said.
The children, aged between four and nine, were excavating sand for making mud bricks when the pit outside Yardoka village in Kaduna state collapsed on them.
'Eleven of the children died and seven others were injured and now in hospital receiving treatment,' Mansir Hassan, Kaduna state police spokesperson said.
'Our men and volunteers from the village dug out the victims from the collapsed pit.'
Police are investiging whether the children were recruited to work, which would be considered child labour, Hassan said.
The children were from an informal madrassa, or Islamic religious school, which are common in predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria.
Children from poor backgrounds are often sent to madrassas to learn the Koran, and many beg in the streets or take on menial jobs to pay the school fees.
Attempts by authorities and local groups to reform the age-old madrassa system have faced opposition from traditional clerics.
In February, 17 pupils were killed and 17 others were severely injured when a fire tore through the lodging of a madrassa in northwestern Zamfara state, according to police.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
I can't bear watching videos of crash - UPSI bus crash victim's father
JERTIH: The father of Nurul Fatihah Abu Setaman, one of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students killed in a crash along Jalan Raya Timur-Barat (JRTB) near Tasik Banding in Gerik, Perak, yesterday, revealed that he was unable to watch videos of the fatal crash. Abu Setaman Jusoh, 54, who remained stoic throughout his daughter's funeral, was worried that it would affect him emotionally to a point that it would take a toll on his health. 'I have not watched the viral videos of the crash, including moments before the bus overturned as I can't bear it,' he told reporters after his daughter's funeral at the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Gong Duek here. The former National Anti-Drug Agency employee said as the head of his household, he had to remain strong for his wife and five other children, sharing that he would wait for the findings of the authorities' investigations before making any decision to take action against the bus company. 'Let the authorities look into the crash first, whether it's due to driver negligence, technical issues or other problems,' he said. He did share some details about his daughter, Nurul Fatihah, and her dream of wanting to be a teacher since her primary school days. 'I did see the qualities of a teacher in her, her integrity and such,' he said wistfully.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Father of UPSI crash victim avoids crash videos
JERTIH: The father of Nurul Fatihah Abu Setaman, one of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students killed in a crash along Jalan Raya Timur-Barat (JRTB) near Tasik Banding in Gerik, Perak, yesterday, revealed that he was unable to watch videos of the fatal crash. Abu Setaman Jusoh, 54, who remained stoic throughout his daughter's funeral, was worried that it would affect him emotionally to a point that it would take a toll on his health. 'I have not watched the viral videos of the crash, including moments before the bus overturned as I can't bear it,' he told reporters after his daughter's funeral at the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Gong Duek here. The former National Anti-Drug Agency employee said as the head of his household, he had to remain strong for his wife and five other children, sharing that he would wait for the findings of the authorities' investigations before making any decision to take action against the bus company. 'Let the authorities look into the crash first, whether it's due to driver negligence, technical issues or other problems,' he said. He did share some details about his daughter, Nurul Fatihah, and her dream of wanting to be a teacher since her primary school days. 'I did see the qualities of a teacher in her, her integrity and such,' he said wistfully.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
MADANI govt committed to reforms, but needs time
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the MADANI unity government is deeply committed to tackling corruption and abuse of power but the reforms to combat these menaces will take time to materialise. 'There's no turning back. What I am certain is that every month and every year there must be some progression in addressing these issues,' he said. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said there are those who are impatient and want reforms fast, but they are 'blinded to the facts and reality.' He said there must be wisdom (hikmah) in the way the MADANI government goes about undertaking such reforms. He cited how Pakatan Harapan does not even have a simple majority in Parliament, which is why as a coalition government, 'we have to work together.' 'And we are fortunate, because UMNO and Barisan Nasional have now turned to be one of the core pillars committed to this reform and support,' he said in his keynote address at the launch of the Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation in Islamic Economics (i-RISE) here today. 'But you can't take things for granted, because the process of negotiations, discussions and engagement is important,' he said. He said it is vital to work gradually and get the consensus between the key parties including those from Sabah and Sarawak. He also highlighted that proper governance is essential to ensure economic growth and progress whether a country practices Islamic or conventional banking or both banking systems like in Malaysia. He said that there should be sustainability and clarity in a country's macroeconomic policies and in governance which promotes development but avoids financial leakages and endemic corruption. 'Almost without exception, Muslim countries are not poor, but the poverty is because of the tendency to either condone and use power and privilege to squander wealth,' he said. He also lamented over gender poverty in Muslim countries, but said Malaysia is fortunate as the problem is relatively absent. He said that the MADANI unity government remains committed to support studies and research and allow Islamic economics and Islamic instruments to be practiced, supported and expanded. To this end, he called on bankers, academicians, intellectuals, scholars, professionals and Islamic scholars 'not to ignore the importance of what proper and good governance entails' when undertaking reforms in related disciplines. 'Through good governance with clear policies and instruments, institutions must protect the system from excesses,' said Anwar. In this way, the country would grow and possess the capacity to attract foreign direct investments and penetrate new markets as a trading nation. He described the global halal industry as having massive potential of up to US$3 trillion (US$1 = RM4.23), but said this means nothing if 'you don't engage, penetrate and expand into new markets.' On an encouraging note, he said, Malaysia has emerged as a major centre of halal certification envied by other countries wanting to learn and share its expertise, which in the process would help develop linkages with halal ventures globally.
