A dark cloud hangs over Niger State in Northcentral Nigeria, following a mining pit collapse that has claimed one life and left at least 30 miners, including the site manager, Alhaji Ibrahim Ishaku, trapped underground. The tragedy struck on Monday, June 3rd, 2024, in the Galkogo community of Shiroro County (Local Government Area).
Heavy rains are suspected to have triggered the collapse, but the exact cause remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased.
A race against time is underway to save the trapped miners. Rescue crews are battling the clock, wielding excavators to clear debris and locate survivors. However, their efforts are hampered by the menacing presence of bandits in the surrounding area.
“Due to the unacceptable nature of that environment as a result of banditry, the information of the incident is very scanty, including rescue operations,” declared Abdullahi Baba’arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).
Rescue crews deployed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, to the scene of the incident rescued seven victims as of Tuesday evening. Operations are still ongoing to “avert loss of lives.”
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
