22 Miners Feared Dead as Pit Collapses in Adamawa, Taraba

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At least 22 miners are feared dead after a mining pit collapsed at an illegal mining site within a national game reserve that spans the Gashaka Local Government Area in Taraba State and the Toungo Local Government Area in Adamawa State.

Adamu Jamtare, a miner from Gashaka, revealed that many of the victims were from Jamtare town in Gashaka LGA.

“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 de@d,” he said.

The Chairman of Toungo LGA, Engineer Suleiman Toungo, confirmed that five miners have been found dead, although he was unsure of the exact number still trapped under the rubble.

He mentioned that the incident, which involved miners from various parts of Nigeria, including Zamfara and Adamawa, took place nearly a month ago.

Despite the area being monitored by rangers, illegal mining activities persisted, often taking place covertly during the night.

“Five bodies have been recovered so far,” he said.

The national game reserve, renowned for its mineral resources, has witnessed multiple fatalities in recent years due to unregulated mining activities.

A resident of Tila village, speaking anonymously, revealed that around 70 miners lost their lives in similar incidents last year, though these events largely went unreported.

Adamawa Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed two recent fatalities from pit collapses.

He stated that in one incident, four miners lost their lives, while in another, six miners were involved—two confirmed dead and four others injured.

SP Nguroje added that the police are working in collaboration with the authorities of Gumti National Park to apprehend the illegal miners responsible.