Illegal Mining: Pregnant woman, 4 others killed in Niger State pit collapse
Story by Susan Mbamah
A series of mining tragedies across Niger and Plateau States have left communities in mourning, with dozens of lives lost to illegal mining site collapses and explosions.
The latest disaster struck Budu village in Niger State, where at least five women, including a pregnant woman, were confirmed dead after an illegal mining pit collapsed on Tuesday evening.
The victims, identified as Tani Abubakar (pregnant), Farida Mustapha, Farida Sule, Khadijat Abdullahi, and Zainab Usman, were all residents of Budu and Panbi villages.
According to an anonymous source who spoke with News Point Nigeria, security and emergency workers rushed to the scene to exhume the bodies.
READ ALSO: WDACL: Inside the dangerous world of child labour in mining, by Maryam Rabiu Visa racketeering, cybercrimes, illegal mining alarming in Kaduna – EFCC Director
The victims were confirmed dead on arrival at the General Hospital in Paiko, where their bodies were deposited for autopsy. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and warned residents about the dangers of illegal mining.
This tragic event comes months after a deadly explosion in Sabon Pegi, also in Niger State, killed at least two people, injured several others, and destroyed nearly 20 buildings.
Eyewitnesses said an electrical spark ignited illegally stockpiled explosives in a residential home. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, stated that preliminary investigations revealed the explosives were stored by Yushua Maikampala, a local resident allegedly involved in the illicit purchase and hoarding of mining explosives.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the Minister described the incident as “avoidable and caused by negligence.”
He extended his condolences to the victims, stressing that the government will intensify enforcement against illegal practices. “This tragic incident was avoidable. It resulted from the reckless and unlawful storage of explosives. The federal government will intensify enforcement against such illegal practices,” the Minister stated.
READ ALSO: Mining site collapses, kills 2 men in Niger Two brothers drown in abandoned Nasarawa mining site
Meanwhile, in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, at least 13 miners lost their lives in a mining site collapse earlier this year. The Chairman of Bassa LGA, Dr. Joshua Riti, described the tragedy as “unfortunate and heartbreaking.”
The collapse took place in an area known for unregulated mining.
The string of recent incidents in both states has highlighted the growing dangers of illegal mining, from pit collapses to poorly handled explosives, leaving communities vulnerable to preventable disasters.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
