In Niger State’s Shiroro Local Government Area, six miners have been rescued while 14 others remain trapped two days after a mining pit collapsed in Galadima-Kogo. The status of the six rescued individuals—whether alive or deceased—remains unclear.
Alhaji Yunusa Mohammed Nahauni, Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry for Mineral Resources, blamed the mining company’s management for the tragedy. He attributed the collapse to a lack of compliance and synergy between the company and the local community.
“The governor earlier directed the suspension of all mining activities in the state and ordered a crackdown on illegal miners due to increasing security concerns. The governor, through the ministry, had issued letters to all the emirates, instructing them accordingly. Failure to adhere to his order would result in penalties,” Nahauni stated.
Nahauni emphasized the importance of following mining principles and operational guidelines, urging the site engineer to prioritize safety to prevent future incidents.
The ministry identified the 14 trapped victims as Abdullahi Yahaya, Ibrahim Mansir, Abubakar Isah, Friday Musa, Godwin Hussaini, Benjamin Ashafa, Zayyanu Ibrahim, Abdul Ali, Hamza Musa, Umar Abubakar, Joseph Madaki, Ibrahim I. Ishiaku Kuta, Abbas Musa, and Yakubu Mamman.
Earlier reports from the State Emergency Management Agency indicated that 30 people were trapped, one person was killed, and seven others were rescued but severely injured. Some locals, however, believe the number of trapped miners exceeds the figures provided by the authorities.
Niger State police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun acknowledged the challenges in the rescue efforts, citing a lack of equipment as a significant obstacle. The community and authorities continue to work urgently to rescue those still trapped.