From Daniel Peres, Minna
Barely one year after the mining Pit in Galkogo town of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state collapsed trapping over 50 miners with 8 of them eventually confirmed killed, another incident has occurred at Farindoki in the Paikoro local government claiming the lives of four miners.
While locals say four people died, the police however, confirmed that only two miners, namely Buhari Kano and Mallam Tasiu both from Kano State were killed in the incident.
Eye witness account said that the collapsed mining pit was operated by same company where eight miners died last April.
According to the Villagers, the miners were involved in their illegal business when suddenly it caved in trapping the workers.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun said: “information was received that there was a collapse/slide at a mining site at Farin-Doki area of Shiroro Local Government Area.
“During the rock slides, two persons were trapped who were later identified as; Buhari Kano and Mallam Tasiu both of Kano State”.
Wasiu Abiodun disclosed that Police operatives attached to Erena Division and community members mobilized to the scene for a rescue, adding that “unfortunately, suspected lifeless bodies of the two persons were recovered. The bodies were taken to a hospital in Zumba”.
He added that preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were suspected to have gone to the site at night for illegal mining activities, before the rock slides occurred, adding that “The incident is under further investigation”.
An official of the state Ministry of Mines who spoke on condition of anonymity said “we are not aware that the incident occured, even if it occurred, it was not reported to us”.