50 feared trapped in collapsed mining pit in Niger state
About 50 people were feared trapped at a collapsed mining site in Galadima Kogo, in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, as sources added that one of them was identified as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the mining company, Ibrahim Ishaku
Penpushing reports that It was gathered that while manual rescue operation was ongoing, another portion of the mining pit caved in, forcing the rescuers to abandon the rescue operation and run for their lives.
The Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Hussaini Ibrahim in a statement explained that due to the unacceptable nature of that environment as a result of banditry, the information of the incident was very scanty, including rescue operation.
Penpushing further reports that Ibrahim, however, disclosed that excavators had been deployed to the scene for the rescue operations, pointing out that bandits attacked two areas in the state on Sunday night.
The agency spokesperson said the bandits kidnapped six persons in Adogo Mallam village in Mashegun Local Government Area and at least 20 people in Tunga Kawo village in Erena ward of Shiroro Local Government Area, where he said hundreds of cows were also rustled.
Penpushing also reports that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake in a statement said seven persons have been rescued from the scene, as at the time of filing this report, adding that first responders had already been deployed to the scene of the incident, explaining that the rescue mission was in collaboration with the mining company
The Minister in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Tuesday said the swift rescue action was a demonstration of the commitment of the government to mitigate the adverse impact of the incident and rescue those still trapped in the rubble.
“Upon learning of the incident, we mobilised our Federal Mines Officer (FMO) and officials of the Mines Inspectorate to the site.In collaboration with the mining company, we have rescued seven victims, some with injuries. Rescue operations with excavators are ongoing to ensure we avert loss of lives,” he said.
Penpushing reports that the statement said the minister recently announced a policy on the mandatory arrangements of remedial measures for mining pits as part of the criteria for applying for mining licences.
The statement explained that the move was aimed at minimising incidents such as the collapse of the mining site in Niger, stressing that the minister was actively monitoring the situation at the mining site, with assurance of Government’s resolve to investigate the remote causes of the disaster to prevent a recurrence.
Penpushing reports that Desk Officer for Mining in Shiroro local government area, Yakubu Garba who was at the scene of the incident on Monday disputed claims in some media that Ishaku was site manager of the company, saying that he was the Chief Security Officer.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA),Abdullahi Arah, however, attributed the collapse to a downpour which softened the soil.
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