NSEMA Gives Update On Collapsed Niger Mining Pit

More facts are emerging on the falling mining pit that killed three people and injured one at Adunni in Paikoro local government area of Niger State.

The director general of Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, had confirmed that the people were killed at the mining site while scavenging for gold.

He also stated that one person injured was receiving treatment and nobody was trapped in the pit like the incident at Galkogo in Shiroro local government area.

Giving an update on the development to LEADERSHIP Weekend yesterday, the public relations officer of NSEMA, Hussaini Ibrahim, said those who died were not artisan miners but villagers who regularly scavenge for gold using crude implements.

He said the only person injured at the site was responding to treatment, adding; “Unlike the incident in Galkogo nobody was trapped in the pit.”

The spokesman said there was immediate response to evacuate the bodies of the three deceased villagers as the pit was not as deep as those of artisan miners.

He noted that widespread illegal Mining is taking place in some parts of the state, and  the situation is causing many disaster concerns that must be immediately nipped in the bud.

Meanwhile, Governor Mohammed Bago has reiterated that all forms of mining in the state are outlawed, insisting that it is for the security of the people and to preserve the environment.