An unconfirmed number of individuals have been reported trapped following the collapse of a mining pit in Galadima Kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred on Monday after a heavy downpour.
Abdullahi Arah, Director-General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, confirmed the disaster in a statement, noting that rescue operations have been complicated by difficult terrain and ongoing banditry in the area.
He said NSEMA received a report of a mining pit collapse at Galkogo village in Shiroro LGA.
“The mine site belongs to a company named African Minerals and Logistics Limited. The cause of the collapse was the rainfall that softened the soil,” he said.
Arah, however, did not provide specific details on the number of people trapped.
“Due to the unacceptable nature of that environment as a result of banditry, the information about the incident is very scanty, including rescue operations. Meanwhile, excavators have been deployed for the rescue operations,” he added.
However, local sources stated that more than 30 people are believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Efforts to reach Wasiu Abiodun, the police spokesperson in Niger State, for comments have been unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago suspended all forms of mining activities in the state in August 2023.
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