Police identify Bauchi workers who died cleaning Gubi Dam facility

By Rauf Oyewole 

The Bauchi State Police Command has identified four who lost their lives while cleaning sludge at the Gubi Dam water treatment facility.

A statement by the Command's Spokesman, CSP Ahmed Wakil on Sunday night confirmed the report of the incident. He said one Shayibu Hamza (48), Abdulmalik Yahya (29), Jamilu Inusa (29) and Ibrahim Musa (42) were the staff who died in the exercise.

According to him, “At about 5:00pm today, a tragic event unfolded at the Gubi Dam Water Treatment Plant, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four dedicated staff members during a sludge cleaning operation in the plant's tunnels. This incident underlines the urgent need for reinforcing workplace safety practices and strict adherence to established protocols.

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“The sludge cleaning operation commenced around 12:00pm. During the procedure, the staff members entered the clarifier to dislodge pit pipes but were tragically overcome and subsequently retrieved unconscious. Despite immediate medical interventions, they were pronounced dead at Specialist Hospital Bauchi,” he explained.

Wakil said that when the Police received information about the incident, it deployed personnel to the site. The bodies were recovered while investigation is underway to ascertain the specifics surrounding this occurrence.

He said that the management of the water treatment plant is fully cooperating with relevant authorities to facilitate a comprehensive and transparent review.

“This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in the water treatment sector. It underscores the responsibility of both employers and employees to emphasize and adhere to established safety protocols to mitigate future risks.

“The Bauchi State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu psc(+)mni, extends heartfelt condolences to the management of the Gubi Dam Water Treatment Plant, as well as to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. We hope for comfort and strength for their families during this challenging time, and we remain committed to supporting improvements in safety standards.”