Worker pulled alive from rubble after Kano demolition mishap

A demolition exercise in Kano Municipal Local Government Area of Kano State ended in a dramatic rescue on Sunday after a worker was trapped beneath a collapsed fence wall.

The incident occurred at Kofar Mata Zango, where emergency responders from the Kano State Fire Service rescued the victim alive before he was taken to hospital for treatment.

In a statement issued by the service’s Public Relations Officer, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the agency said it received an emergency call at about 8.49 a.m. from Naziru Ahmad, who alerted officials to the accident.

Firefighters were immediately dispatched from the service headquarters and discovered that a residential building measuring about 30 by 20 feet was undergoing demolition when the incident happened.

According to the statement, the fence wall suddenly gave way, trapping one of the workers, identified as Sadiq Ahmad, as he tried to flee the collapsing structure.

“Our rescue team immediately commenced operations and successfully rescued the victim alive. He was taken to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital and handed over to his brother, Naziru Ahmad, for medical attention,” the statement read.

The Fire Service said investigations had begun to determine what led to the collapse.

It also appealed to residents, contractors and construction workers to make safety a priority during demolition and building projects.

“We urge members of the public to observe all necessary safety measures during demolition and construction works to avoid preventable accidents,” the statement added.