By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
Melancholy hovered around Rijiyar Zaki community in Gwale Local Government Area, Kano, after a 30-year-old man, Mustapha Aliyu, died inside a deep well, while struggling to retrieve a cooking gas cylinder.
Residents of the community grieved and mourned Mustapha, described as a quiet and easy-going man by neighbours.
According a neighbour who craved anonymity, “a domestic fire broke out involving a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder.
“In a bid to avert an explosion, members of the household threw the burning cylinder into a deep well within the premises.
“Later on, thinking the danger had passed, Aliyu descended into the well to retrieve the cylinder, but he was quickly overcome by a lethal combination of stagnant air and gas fumes. By the time attempts were made to save him, he had suffered lack of oxygen and passed on.”
The Public Relations Officer of Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incident in a Statement.
According to him, “The service received an emergency alert at approximately 2:15 p.m. and deployed a rescue unit immediately.
“Aliyu was recovered from the well in an unconscious state. Despite being rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, he was tragically pronounced dead by attending physicians.
Abdullahi further stated that: “The Kano State Fire Service has used the occasion to issue a stern warning to the public.
“Officials emphasized that entering confined spaces like wells to retrieve hazardous materials like gas cylinders is a death trap due to the invisible presence of carbon monoxide and other suffocating gases.”
However, the remains of Mustapha Aliyu have been handed over to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
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