In a devastating incident that underscores the ongoing safety challenges in Nigeria’s informal construction sector, the Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of 11 individuals following a tragic sand collapse at a block-moulding site in Yar-doka Village, located within the Damau District of Kubau Local Government Area.
According to a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mansir Hassan, the fatal incident occurred on Monday at approximately 1:45 p.m. The village head of Yar-doka, Alhaji Lawal Damau, alerted authorities after the sand caved in unexpectedly while workers were on site.
“The sandfall occurred suddenly, burying workers under a massive heap of sand. Tragically, 11 people lost their lives, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Hassan reported.
Seven injured victims are currently undergoing medical treatment at the primary health centre in Yar-doka Village, while investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing.
Hassan added that local government officials and state emergency responders have been briefed on the incident. He stressed that further updates would be shared as the investigation progresses.
“This heart-wrenching accident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for proper safety regulations and enforcement at local construction and mining sites. The absence of safety measures continues to expose many Nigerian workers to avoidable dangers,” DSP Hassan noted.
He extended the command’s condolences to the bereaved families and the injured, urging stakeholders to prioritize safety to prevent future tragedies.
This incident adds to the growing number of casualties recorded across Nigeria’s informal labour sectors—often described as “highways of horror”—where minimal regulation, poor oversight, and hazardous working conditions continue to endanger lives daily.
