Three artisanal miners have died, while two others lost consciousness after inhaling toxic fumes inside a mining pit in Riruwai, Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when fumes from a water-pumping machine filled the pit where the victims were working.
The deceased were identified as Haruna Usaini and Yusha’u Sale, both from the Dan Isa community in Rimin Gado Local Government Area, and another miner, Danfuli, from Daurawa in Doguwa Local Government Area.
An eyewitness, Salisu Abdulhamid, said the tragedy occurred while workers were trying to drain water that had accumulated in the pit following heavy rainfall.
“Heavy rain fell the previous night, and the mining pit became flooded, so work was suspended,” he said. “The following day, a new water-pumping machine was brought in to remove the water before work could resume. The machine emitted fumes that filled the pit. The fumes caused the deaths of three people, while two others collapsed.”
A relative of one of the victims, Basiru Sale, described the loss as devastating.
“He was my younger brother from the same parents. We can only pray that Allah forgives him,” he said. “He travelled to Doguwa for this mining work just seven days ago. The last time I saw him alive was before he left, and now it is his body that has been brought back.”
Family members said Haruna Usaini and Yusha’u Sale would be buried on Thursday in the Dan Isa community in the Rimin Gado Local Government Area.
The incident has renewed concerns over safety standards at artisanal mining sites across Doguwa and neighbouring Tudun Wada Local Government Areas, where many youths depend on mining for their livelihoods.
During an inspection in June, a Kano State Government delegation, led by the state revenue agency, raised concerns about illegal mining activities and poor safety standards. The team also shut down several mining companies accused of operating without licences.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kano State Ministry of Solid Minerals nor the Kano State Police Command had issued an official statement on the incident.