No fewer than 30 miners are feared dead after a mining pit collapsed in Galkogo Community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday night at a site operated by African Mineral and Logistics Ltd.
According to sources, the pit caved in following a torrential rainfall, trapping over 50 miners.
Among the trapped was the site manager, Ibrahim Ishaku. The chief security officer, known as Kuta, reportedly died while attempting to rescue some of the miners.
Eyewitnesses reported conflicting figures regarding the number of casualties. Initial rescue efforts by villagers were halted when another section of the pit collapsed, forcing them to flee. It is believed that at least 30 miners remain buried underground.
Mallam Hussaini Ibrahim, Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the incident.
He stated that information was scarce due to the area's security challenges but confirmed that one person had died, six were rescued with severe injuries, and about 30 others, including Ishaku, were still trapped.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, announced that federal and local officials are actively involved in the rescue operations.
"We have mobilised our Federal Mines Officer and officials of the Mines Inspectorate to the site.
Seven victims have been rescued, some with injuries. Rescue operations with excavators are ongoing to prevent further loss of lives," Alake said.
The Federal Government has committed to investigating the causes of the collapse to prevent future occurrences.
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