The Kebbi State Government has expressed deepest condolences on the death of eight Almajiris, on Saturday, in the process of clay mining.
On receipt of the report, Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu was said to have expressed shock about the sad news of the unavoidable tragedy.
The governor, who is on an official trip abroad, sent a high powered delegation, comprising Commissioners and Special Advisers, led by the Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena, to condole with the families of the departed.
The Head of Service said: “Governor Nasir Idris heartily commiserated with Mallam Dan-Umma, families of the deceased and the entire people of Kebbi State on the sad event. The Kauran Gwandu prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant their souls mercy and prevent a recurrence of such an incident. The governor further prayed for the quick recovery of the injured Almajiris and donated the sum of N20 million to the families of the deceased.”
Bena said Governor Nasir Idris has directed all the relevant emergency agencies in the state to take urgent measures to safeguard a repeat of the tragedy anywhere in the state. Before the tragedy, the Islamic pupils were studying Qur’an under Mallam Dan-Umma, a popular religious cleric in the Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
The unfortunate incident also led to the hospitalisation of two other Almajiris, now receiving treatment for injuries sustained. The deceased pupils and those injured were reported to be mining clay at the Dukku Hill when it caved in and trapped them.