In Adamawa and Taraba states, a mining pit collapse claimed the lives of at least 22 miners at an illegal mining site within the Gashaka-Gumti National Park.
The incident occurred almost a month ago, involving miners from various parts of Nigeria, including Zamfara and Adamawa.
Adamu Jamtare, a miner from Gashaka, revealed that many of the deceased hailed from Jamtare town in Gashaka Local Government Area. “They were mining gold in the Buffa zone within the national park, covering parts of Gashaka and Toungo. All 22 miners trapped in the pit are presumed dead,” he said.
Chairman of Toungo Local Government Area, Engineer Suleiman Toungo, confirmed that five miners had been found dead, though the exact number still buried remains uncertain. “Five bodies have been recovered so far,” he added.
A resident of Tila village, speaking anonymously, disclosed that approximately 70 miners lost their lives in similar incidents last year, which went largely unreported.
Adamawa Police Public Relations Officer SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje reported two recent pit collapse incidents, resulting in the deaths of four and two miners, with four others injured. The police are working with Gumti National Park authorities to apprehend the illegal miners involved.
