By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
Residents of Sarai Village in the Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State were thrown into mourning after the lifeless body of a 96 year old woman, Habiba Ado, was discovered inside a soakaway pit, four days after she was declared missing. The shocking find has left the quiet rural community in grief and raised urgent concerns about safety around open pits and sanitation structures in homes.
According to the Kano State Fire Service, the tragic discovery occurred on Thursday, November 6, 2025, following a distress call received at about 9:27 a.m. from a resident identified as Usman Adamu, who reported that an elderly woman had fallen into a pit latrine in the community.
In a statement issued by the Fire Service spokesperson, Saminu Yusuf Abdullahi, rescue officers were immediately deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, they retrieved the lifeless body of the woman from the soakaway.
“Our rescue team responded promptly after receiving a call from Sarai Village in Dawakin Kudu. Unfortunately, the victim, a 96 year old woman named Habiba Ado, was brought out of the pit dead,” Abdullahi said.
Relatives of the deceased told officials that the elderly woman had been suffering from mental illness and had been missing for four days before her body was found.
Her remains were handed over to the Ward Head of Sarai Village, Musa Muhammad, for the burial.
The Kano State Fire Service expressed condolences to the family and advised residents to cover open pits, wells, and toilet holes to prevent similar incidents, particularly involving the elderly, children, and persons with mental health challenges.
“We are appealing to members of the public to ensure all open pits and soakaways are properly covered. This simple precaution can save lives,” the statement added.
The tragic incident has sparked concern among locals about the safety of household sanitation structures, prompting renewed calls for improved community awareness and preventive measures in rural areas.
