No fewer than 14 miners remain trapped under the rubble of a collapsed mining pit in Galkogo community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, according to the Niger State Police Command.
Recall that the mining site, operated by African Minerals and Logistics Limited, caved in following a heavy downpour, trapping about 50 workers.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, resulted in the death of one miner and left six others seriously injured.
Six miners managed to escape unharmed. Rescue operations are ongoing, with police and government officials actively involved.
Commissioner of Police Shawulu Danmamman, alongside the Commissioner of Homeland Security Bello Mohammed and Commissioner of Minerals Resources Garba Yahaya, visited the site to oversee the rescue efforts.
The police command reported that 20 individuals were initially trapped but six have since been rescued, leaving 14 still unaccounted for.
Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, provided details of the ongoing rescue operation.
He said, “The Commissioner of Police visited the mining site incident, alongside the Commissioner of Homeland Security and the Commissioner of minerals resources.
“They arrived at the scene at about 1200hrs and the engineer in the site confirmed that 20 persons were trapped under the rock but 6 persons were rescued out of the 20 persons. 14 persons are still trapped under the rock. Efforts are still ongoing by the site engineers and rescue team to rescue the rest of the victims.”
Abiodun said the district Head of the area, Mallam Aliyu Umar, who was also present, corroborated the number of those trapped and expressed gratitude for the bravery shown by the police and local authorities since the incident.
He said the commissioner of Minerals Resources conveyed the government’s condolences to the affected community, expressing the state’s dismay over the incident.
“The CP also reminded them that mining activities have been banned by the Government in the state but people still go about the activities of mining. He warned the community to desist from such acts,” Abiodun added.
