The collapse of a mining pit located within a national game reserve spanning Gashaka Local Government Area in Taraba State and Toungo Local Government Area in Adamawa State, left no fewer than 22 miners dead.
And what’s worse, the mining site was confirmed to be illegal.
An eyewitness from Gashaka, Adamu Jamtare, who confirmed the incident, explained that many of the deceased were from Jamtare town in Gashaka LGA.
He said: “They were mining gold in an area known as the Buffa zone within the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, covering parts of both Gashaka and Toungo. All 22 miners trapped in the pit are presumed dead.”
Illegal Mining
Also speaking was Engineer Suleiman Toungo, who happens to be the chairman of Toungo LGA.
He confirmed that five miners had been found dead but was uncertain of the exact number still buried.
According to him, illegal mining activities are often conducted covertly at night despite the area being patrolled by rangers.
He said: “Five bodies have been recovered so far.”
Meanwhile, the Adamawa Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, was said to have confirmed two recent reports of fatalities from pit collapses.
Also Read: DSS, Three Police Officers Arrested In Abuja, See Why
The police mouthpiece detailed that one incident claimed the lives of four miners, while the other affected six miners, with two confirmed dead and four sustaining injuries.
SP Nguroje stated that the police are collaborating with the Gumti National Park authorities to apprehend the illegal miners involved.
