22 people dead as Adamawa-Taraba mining pit collapses

22 people dead as Adamawa-Taraba mining pit collapses

At least 22 miners are feared dead after a mining pit collapsed at an illegal site within a national game reserve that stretches across Gashaka Local Government Area in Taraba State and Toungo Local Government Area in Adamawa State.

Adamu Jamtare, a miner from Gashaka, reported that many of the deceased were residents of Jamtare town in Gashaka. “They were mining gold in the Buffa zone within the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, covering parts of both Gashaka and Toungo. All 22 miners trapped in the pit are presumed dead,” he said.

Engineer Suleiman Toungo, Chairman of Toungo LGA, confirmed that five bodies had been recovered, though the exact number of miners still trapped remains unknown.

The tragic incident, involving miners from various states, including Zamfara and Adamawa, reportedly occurred nearly a month ago.

Despite routine patrols by rangers, illegal mining activities have continued, with operations frequently conducted at night. “So far, five bodies have been recovered,” Engineer Toungo added.

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The Gashaka-Gumti National Park, known for its valuable mineral resources, has experienced multiple fatalities in recent years due to unregulated mining activities. A resident from Tila village revealed that around 70 miners lost their lives in similar incidents last year, although these events often go unreported.

Adamawa Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed two recent fatal incidents. In one case, four miners died, while in another, six miners were affected, with two confirmed dead and four injured.

SP Nguroje stated that the police are working closely with Gumti National Park authorities to identify and arrest those responsible for the illegal mining.

22 people dead as Adamawa-Taraba mining pit collapses