Another tragedy hits Nigeria’s mining communities as illegal operations raise fresh safety concerns.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed that three people died and four others were injured after a mining pit collapsed at Enyim Agalegu community in Ikwo Local Government Area.
Police spokesman SP Joshua Ukandu said officers responded quickly after receiving reports of the Saturday incident, though the victims’ families are yet to file an official report.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyi, described the incident as unfortunate and blamed recurring mining disasters on illegal mining driven by greed. He noted that the affected pit falls under the mining lease of First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt.
The tragedy has once again spotlighted the urgent need for stronger regulation and safety enforcement in Nigeria’s mining sector to prevent further loss of lives.
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