The incident occurred when the victims in Sokoto, Bashar Dalhatu, Bashar Maciji, Bashar Buhari, Isah Amadu, Abdullahi Salihu and Bilyaminu Jadi were excavating sand as part of a communal effort to build a house for a friend planning to get married.
An eyewitness Malam Hamza Illela told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that one person escaped unhurt when the site caved in on the victims.
Sources in the village said the deceased had been buried according to Islamic rites.
‘‘It is part of our tradition that whoever wants to do first marriage, his friends will gather, excavate soil for him to build his house, besides other assistance.
‘‘It is to reduce the burden on him and enhance existing solidarity in the community.
‘‘Unfortunately, while they were excavating the soil, the place collapsed on them; we later recovered their bodies and gave them befitting burial in accordance with Islamic rites,’’ one of the villagers who preferred anonymity says.
The Chairman of Illela Local Government Area in Sokoto, Alhaji Abdullahi Haruna-Illela, confirmed the incident. He said he was among the dignitaries that attended their burial rites, adding that he also donated bags of rice to their families.
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