Two children have been killed and three others injured when the toilet block of the UK Bello Memorial Primary School, Paiko, Paikoro local government area of Niger state fell on the children.

The incident occurred at about 10 am on Saturday.

A source disclosed that the children went to the refuse dump which was very close to the toilet to scavenge and dig for some materials which they can sell to people who buy scavenged materials.

It was learnt that the building had been on the verge of collapse for years and efforts by the Niger state Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) to repair the building and fence the school had met with stiff resistance from the residents.

A resident in the area who prefers not to state his name said that the school had been collapsing bit by bit for some years and had been vandalized by residents living around the school.

“Now, if you go to the school, it is open. None of the classrooms has a door or no window because they have been stolen, the fence has collapsed and people have been vandalizing the infrastructures in the school.

“The toilet block is outside the school building and there is a refuse dump very close to the toilet. Children usually go to the refuse dump to dig up for things they can sell. It was in the process of these children digging the refuse this morning that the block which was on the verge of collapsing fell on the children.”

Three of the injured children are currently receiving treatment in the hospital in Paiko. (Text, excluding headline: The Nation)

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