Tragedy in Kano: Two Almajarai die, 4 hospitalized from poisonous substance

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Tragedy struck in Kano as two Islamic school students popularly known as Almajarai died after allegedly drinking poisonous substance suspected to be expired milk powder.

The children had alleged picked the substance from a gutter beside a compound.

Four others are currently taking treatment in a hospital.

The dead children were identified as Abdullahi and Aminu who were 12 and 14 years respectively.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident happened at Kotu street, Gwammaja area, inside Kano city, on Friday.

According to their Islamic teacher, Malam Nafiu, the substance was mixed with water and drank as ‘tea’ by the children, but shortly after drinking it, they began to fall seriously ill.

“Someone threw the substance over the fence. It is something commonly used in tea. The boys thought it was milk; four of them managed to recover, but sadly, Abdullahi and Aminu didn’t make it,” Malam Nafiu said.

The deceased children who hailed from Dandume Local Government Area in Katsina State, were brought to Kano to study the Qur’an.

According to eyewitnesses, the children foamed in the mouth before giving up the ghost.

However, the cause of death has not been medically confirmed pending autopsy and toxicology tests.

Police officers have visited the scene and launched an investigation into the matter.