A mining site in Farin Doki – a community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State has collapsed from heavy rains, trapping at least 50 people under the earth. One death is confirmed, and another six are injured.
An eyewitness says many others escaped the catastrophe.
Abubakar Ibrahim Koki, a co-convener of the Concerned Shiroro Youths of Niger State, told reporters many are still buried under the heap of earth. It is unclear if heavy-duty excavation equipment and rescue operations were immediately deployed to the site.
But Mr. Koki blamed the recklessness of the mine’s operator for the tragedy. He said it was necessary to upgrade the mines’ safety gear and procedures to avert such catastrophes in the future. “We are going to demand the seizure of their license because of what happened today.”
The incident occurred notwithstanding Governor Mohammed Bago‘s pronouncement in August 2023 suspending all mining activities in the state. Koki described the governor’s pronouncement as merely “political,” which was not even worth the paper on which it was written. He said illegal mining has persisted in the state capital and other locations under the governor’s watch to this day.
He also revealed that insecurity in the region had compelled many farmers to leave their farmlands and turn to mining for their livelihoods.
Please comment and share this article, & Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
