The phrase "wells of death" soon brings to mind the now-legendary American motor-drome racing, a perilous carnival attraction that involved motorcycles and cars, with participants moving horizontally along the vertical sides of a wooden, barrel-like structure, frequently executing daring tricks.
In India, this carnival act features vehicles, motorbikes, fearless drivers, and high speeds. Within a wooden drum, drivers challenge gravity by moving at a 90-degree angle, depending only on the power of their engines to execute the feat, while the lights and sounds enhance the overall experience for spectators.
It is a perilous and specialized career that is losing appeal, with very few new individuals entering the field in modern times.
Nevertheless, in Kano, Nigeria, the phrase "Wells of death" has taken on a completely different significance due to the rising number of fatalities linked to wells in the region recently.
Initially a term linked with a lively celebration of attractions worldwide, the phrase, on the contrary, has instilled fear in many families within the state, causing them to experience trauma and sorrow. In various communities across Kano State, open and inadequately protected wells have kept taking lives through a series of tragic events that have left families heartbroken and authorities struggling to implement effective preventive actions.
Research from the Weekend Trust indicates that from June 2024 to February 2026, at least a dozen individuals, including several children and young people, died in various water-related incidents across nine local government areas within the state.
From Nasarawa to Danbatta, Dawakin Tofa to Gwale, the situation is eerily alike: an open or inadequately protected well, a fall, which may be unintentional or occur during a rescue attempt, followed by a frantic struggle against time that frequently results in tragedy.
An early documented event during this time took place on June 4, 2024, in Kawon, within the Alhaji Sani region of Nasarawa Local Government Area.
A 33-year-old man known as Muhd Sagir is said to have fallen into a dry well. At the time, reports indicated that personnel from the Kano State Fire Service quickly reacted following a distress call regarding the incident. Sagir was extracted from the well while unconscious and taken for medical care, but he was later declared dead.
The tragedy highlighted the risks, not just from water-filled wells, but also from unused or dry wells that remain uncovered in homes.
In early November 2025, two families experienced profound grief within a single day after their children died in separate well-related incidents. In Kashirmo village, located in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, an eight-year-old girl named Zara'u Muhammad reportedly fell into a deep well. Locals and emergency personnel tried to save her, but she was eventually confirmed deceased.
Just hours later, another disaster occurred in Dala Local Government Area, where a six-year-old child fell into a well. He was pulled out unconscious but could not be saved.
Community members characterized both events as avoidable, pointing out that numerous wells in the impacted regions were either not covered or poorly protected.
Regarded as one of the most emotionally devastating episodes, in December 2025, four individuals, including two minors, lost their lives in three distinct incidents across Danbatta, Bichi, and Nasarawa local government areas. In Danbatta, a father and his son reportedly fell into a well, and in an attempt to rescue them, another man entered the well but also became trapped. All three were eventually confirmed dead, according to locals, in what they described as a tragic sequence of rescue efforts that ended in disaster.
In a different event during the same time frame, two children lost their lives in separate water-related incidents in various areas of the state, increasing the death toll to four within a few days.
The Kano State Fire Service reminded locals to stay away from wells without appropriate safety gear and to consistently reach out to certified emergency responders.
This year, in the Kwankwaso region of Madobi Local Government Area, a two-year-old boy named Sa'idu Ahmad is reported to have drowned following a fall into a well. Locals mentioned that the young child was playing nearby when the incident took place.
On the same day, in Karofawa Yan Kifi village located in Ghari, a 28-year-old man named Suleiman Sani also fell into a well and lost his life.
The occurrence of two deaths in separate areas on the same day heightened worries regarding the dangers associated with unsecured wells in rural and semi-urban regions of Kano.
In early February 2026, two additional individuals died in separate incidents linked to wells.
In the Bachirawa region within the Ungogo Local Government Area, an 18-year-old individual named Yusif Malam Gwani Isah is said to have fallen into an exposed water body. He was subsequently confirmed deceased.
On the same day, a different victim drowned in Karaye Local Government Area under comparable conditions.
Officials once more cited the events as a reason to urge increased awareness and proactive steps, especially in areas with high population density where wells serve as primary water sources.
One of the most frequently covered events took place on February 9, 2026, in the Rijiyar Zaki region within the Gwale Local Government Area.
A 30-year-old man named Mustapha Aliyu is said to have descended into a well to retrieve a cooking gas cylinder after a fire broke out at home. Witnesses reported that the gas cylinder had dropped into the well while attempts were being made to control the fire.
In a bid to save the situation, Aliyu went down into the well but was reportedly affected by fumes. Emergency teams struggled to reach him in time. He was later pulled out but was declared dead.
People present at the location reported intense attempts to rescue him, expressing regret that the lack of appropriate rescue tools might have led to the tragic result.
Patterns of tragedy
A review of the events shows repeated trends. Several of the victims were kids who unintentionally dropped into open wells while they were playing. Others were young men who went into the wells, either to get things back or to save someone stuck, usually without any safety equipment or proper instruction.
In various instances, several deaths happened as people tried to save others before emergency services arrived.
The Kano State Fire Service consistently warned about these behaviors and advised locals to properly seal wells, build protective fences, and quickly contact emergency services when issues arise.
Hotspots across LGAs
The events occurred over a broad geographical area: Nasarawa, Dawakin Tofa, Dala, Danbatta, Bichi, Madobi, Ghari, Ungogo, Karaye, and Gwale local government areas.
Local leaders in certain impacted regions have recognized the widespread presence of old and unused wells, particularly in areas with high population density or semi-urban settings, where access to piped water is still limited.
Residents mentioned that continued dependence on manually dug wells for household water supply keeps families vulnerable, especially in areas where safety regulations are not followed.
To be honest, our community has been negligent. There's no way we can leave a well uncovered in the street and hope people won't fall in. If you visit certain homes, you'll find their wells are also open and not elevated enough to prevent a child from slipping in.
"These events do not affect only children; adults are also harmed. We simply need to alter our behavior, that's all," said a resident from Gwale, Haruna Isah.
A mother of seven children, Hajiya Amina Saleh, also expressed that the trend is extremely alarming, as family members are being lost almost daily due to related incidents.
Do you understand how a mother feels when she loses her child, or even her husband? It is heartbreaking that such events continue to happen in Kano State without any discussion or action being taken.
"Residents need to be more careful about their children's safety, particularly for mothers; and everyone should make sure that uncovered wells near our homes are properly covered," she stated.
Public health supporters and local leaders have urged for stringent rules regarding the building and upkeep of wells. They claim that homeowners should be required to use strong materials to cover wells and build protective barriers around them.
Some have also proposed that municipal authorities perform inspections to locate unused wells and make sure they are securely closed or restored in a safe manner.
"These wells are widely recognized within the communities; they are utilized either in homes or on the streets. The abandoned ones are also well known. We need to unite to make sure they are maintained and secured for our safety," said Aisha Tijjani, a public health professional.
Acknowledging the quick reactions of their staff, representatives from the Kano State Fire Service emphasized that prevention is still the most effective approach.
They recommended that residents avoid any rescue efforts without appropriate breathing equipment and safety harnesses, cautioning that oxygen depletion and harmful gases in enclosed areas can rapidly become deadly.
Regrettably, beneath the rising numbers lie sorrowful families and communities. For parents who lost their children in Dawakin Tofa and Dala, and for the relatives of men who died in Danbatta and Gwale, these events are more than just news stories; they are life-changing tragedies that will remain with the family members if not deeply embedded in their lives.
The emotional impact remains even after the funeral ceremonies have ended. We cannot keep going this way; it also impacts health in most instances because losing a loved one, particularly a child or spouse, extends beyond just grieving,' said Malam Ibrahim Tukur, a father who lost his son in Gwale.
The list of victims serves as a powerful reminder of the risks associated with unsecured wells found throughout Kano State.
Provided by zaianews.com.