One man for northern Nigeria don land for prison two weeks, after im neighbours complain say im dey store bags of human faeces outside im house, wey dey make life unbearable for everybody.
Mohammed Saidu, wey work as septic tank emptier, bin dey keep almost 50 bags of waste for im property for Kano city. Residents report the bad smell to environmental officials, and e carry am go court.
Magistrate Halima Wali order say make dem detain am for 14 days and fine am 100,000 naira, wey be about £55 or $74. She talk say im action na highly inconsiderate and e dey threaten health of im neighbours.
According to local chief Musa Abdullahi, Saidu dey sell the faeces to farmers as fertiliser. Dis practice common for region, but people no dey usually talk about am publicly.
“I think he had close to 50 bags of faeces the first time the complaint reached me,” Abdullahi tell BBC.
Neighbours say the stench from the property bin dey so strong, e no dey possible to relax for house. One of the complainants, Samaila Inuwa, say dem first try to settle the matter by themselves.
“We spoke to him about it but he didn’t stop,” Inuwa tell BBC.
For court, Saidu plead guilty to charge of endangering public health. Before she deliver ruling, Magistrate Wali visit the property to see the bags of faeces for herself. She order Saidu to clear all the waste and promise never to repeat the offence.
Inuwa say life don already improve for residents since the case enter court. “Finally, our neighbourhood is enjoyable once more without any bad smell,” e talk.
Chief Abdullahi say im don intervene before when Saidu first start to store the waste. “When he first started it, I spoke to him about it and he packed them out and stopped,” e explain. “I did not know when he resumed.” E add say neighbours choose to bypass am dis time and go direct to authorities.
Abdullahi say im own house far enough so e no dey affected by the smell, but e understand the residents’ frustration. “My mission is for everybody in this area to live in peace,” e talk. “When he is released, we will talk to him and the neighbours again.”
