Mother, five children die in Katsina home collapse during heavy rainfall

DDM News

A devastating tragedy struck Dankama community in Katsina State during the early hours of Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that a mother and five of her children died when their home collapsed amid a heavy downpour around 2am.

The victims were asleep when the building gave way, trapping them under the rubble.

The deceased were identified as 45-year-old Mariya Sani and her children: Mujahid (20), Zahariya (18), Hauwa (15), Amira, and five-year-old Nura Sani.

Muhammad Sani, the bereaved father and husband, confirmed the tragic loss to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He revealed that ten individuals were in the house at the time of the collapse.

Six lives were lost, while three others were injured and rushed to the hospital.

Sani was not at home during the incident and described the tragedy as devastating.

He expressed deep sorrow but also resignation, stating, “I surrender to Allah’s will. May He grant them eternal rest.”

The Dankama community has been thrown into deep mourning following the disaster.

Neighbours and sympathisers have been trooping to the family residence to offer condolences.

Emergency responders from the Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have visited the scene.

SEMA’s Executive Secretary, Hajiya Binta Dangani, confirmed the incident and assured that appropriate support would be rendered.

Officials are currently assessing the extent of the damage to guide relief and reconstruction efforts.

This incident adds to a rising number of building collapses occurring in northern Nigeria during the rainy season.

In July 2025, a similar tragedy claimed a father and two children in Kumbotso, Kano State.

In June, three siblings died in Gombe State after their mud-brick house collapsed during a storm.

Experts have long warned that poorly constructed buildings, especially those made with mud, are vulnerable to collapse in heavy rain.

Rural communities in northern Nigeria often rely on such structures, increasing their risk of disaster.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier predicted heavier-than-usual rainfall across the country this year.

NiMet advised residents in flood-prone and structurally weak areas to take preventive action.

However, many rural communities lack the infrastructure and resources to implement such precautions.

The tragedy in Dankama has renewed calls for urgent government intervention on housing safety.

Advocates are demanding improved building standards and proactive disaster preparedness in high-risk communities.

As emergency workers continue their assessments, residents are left grappling with grief and fear of future disasters.

The loss of six family members in a single incident has underscored the fragility of life in neglected rural regions.

Officials have promised support, but long-term solutions are still urgently needed.

Calls are growing for the federal and state governments to implement comprehensive rural housing reform.

Unless swift and lasting action is taken, more families may be left to mourn under the weight of preventable tragedies.

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