A court in Kano State has sentenced a man to two weeks in prison after he was found storing dozens of bags of human faeces outside his residence, creating what neighbours described as an unbearable living environment.
Mohammed Saidu was prosecuted after residents reported the persistent foul odour to environmental authorities, claiming the waste posed serious health and sanitation risks within the community.
The case was heard before Magistrate Halima Wali, who ordered Saidu to spend 14 days in prison and pay a fine of 100,000 naira. The magistrate condemned his actions, describing them as reckless, inconsiderate, and dangerous to public health.
Saidu, who works as a septic tank evacuator, is believed to have been collecting and storing the waste for resale to farmers who use it as fertilizer. While the practice is known in some communities, the storage of such waste in residential areas has drawn strong criticism.
Speaking on the matter, local community leader Musa Abdullahi said the scale of the waste accumulation was alarming. According to him, the first report indicated that nearly 50 bags of human faeces had been stored on the property.
Residents said they initially attempted to resolve the issue peacefully before involving authorities. One of the complainants, Samaila Inuwa, explained that several appeals were made to Saidu to stop the practice, but the situation persisted.
“We spoke to him about it but he didn’t stop,” Inuwa told the BBC.
During court proceedings, Saidu pleaded guilty to charges related to endangering public health. Before issuing her ruling, Magistrate Wali personally visited the property to inspect the waste and assess the complaints raised by residents.
In addition to the prison sentence and fine, the court ordered Saidu to remove all the waste from the premises and undertake not to repeat the offence. Following the ruling, residents expressed relief, saying the neighbourhood had become more comfortable and hygienic.
Community leader Abdullahi said he had previously intervened when complaints first emerged and believed the issue had been resolved. He added that efforts would be made to reconcile Saidu with affected neighbours after his release, stressing the importance of maintaining peace and healthy living conditions within the community.
