By Douglas Maha, Abuja
The Federal Government has announced that 13 of the 15 miners trapped in last Thursday’s mine pit collapse at Jabaka village, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, have been confirmed dead.
The grim update was conveyed in Abuja on Sunday through a statement issued by Segun Tomori, media aide to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake. Two miners are still unaccounted for.
Dr. Alake described the incident as “avoidable and tragic,” directing federal mines officers to join forces with Zamfara State authorities in ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. He assured that once operations conclude, the pit will be permanently sealed.
“I received with deep shock the report of the unfortunate incident in Zamfara, which has unfortunately resulted in some casualties. Our first responders are on the ground working with state officials to complete rescue operations, after which the site will be sealed off,” the minister said.
Preliminary findings indicate the mine was an illegal operation in a gold-bearing area with fragile sandy soil, where miners had been working with crude tools despite glaring environmental and safety risks.
The collapse comes against the backdrop of a government crackdown on illegal mining. Over the past year, the Solid Minerals Ministry, through the Mining Marshals initiative, has arrested more than 300 illegal miners and sealed nearly 100 unlawful mining sites across the country.
Alake revealed that the government is expanding the marshals’ reach with additional manpower and logistics, while satellite-based surveillance is being installed nationwide to monitor mining sites in real time.
Reaffirming the administration’s zero tolerance for illegal mining, the minister warned:
“We will not relent until we rid this country of the nefarious activities of illegal miners. With satellite surveillance and tighter enforcement, we are determined to drastically reduce mine collapses and bring sponsors of illegal mining to justice.”
