A mining pit at an unauthorized site within a national game reserve in Taraba and Adamawa states recently collapsed, resulting in the death of 22 miners.
Adamu Jamtare, a miner from Gashaka, confirmed to Daily Trust that many of those who died hailed from Jamtare town in Gashaka Local Government Area.
The miners were reportedly digging for gold in the Buffa area within the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, which spans Gashaka LGA in Taraba and Toungo LGA in Adamawa. All 22 miners trapped in the collapse are believed to have died.
Engineer Suleiman Toungo, the Chairman of Toungo LGA, verified that five miners had been found dead, though he couldn’t confirm the exact number still unaccounted for.
He noted that the collapse, which affected miners from various parts of Nigeria, including Zamfara and Adamawa, occurred nearly a month ago. He added that despite ranger patrols, miners often work illegally at night.
Adamawa Police Public Relations Officer SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje reported two recent pit collapse incidents, confirming that four miners died in one, while in the other, two lost their lives and four others were injured.
Nguroje stated that the police are working with Gumti National Park authorities to apprehend those engaged in illegal mining activities.
