Minna, August 20, 2024 – Just months after a deadly mine collapse in Shiroro, Niger State, another tragedy has struck, claiming the lives of two siblings in the Paikoro Local Government Area.
Zubairu Ibrahim, 20, and Sadiq Ibrahim, 25, were killed when the mine in Kakaki village caved in on Saturday. The brothers had left their home without informing their parents, venturing into the mine to search for minerals.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns about the dangers of illegal mining in the state, which has been plagued by numerous accidents in recent years.
Dibie Maureen, spokesperson for the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources, confirmed the incident, stating that a ministry delegation visited the bereaved family on Sunday to offer condolences and investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
According to Maureen, the family discovered their sons were missing when they failed to return home for dinner and evening prayers. Their father, Zubairu Ibrahim, was informed that the brothers had gone to the mine to dig for gold. He was devastated when community members returned with the bodies of his sons, recovered from beneath the collapsed soil.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Yunusa Nahauni, who led the delegation, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and reiterated the state government’s directive suspending all mining activities in Niger State.
“This death would have been avoidable if the community had abided by the Governor’s order suspending mining in the state,” Nahauni stated. “The ministry will continue to crack down on illegal mining operations. Anyone found violating these regulations will face legal consequences.”
Nahauni also urged communities to inform the ministry of any mineral discoveries in their areas to ensure proper guidance and safety measures are in place.
However, the delegation’s visit to the mine site was met with hostility from villagers, who accused the government of attempting to extort money from them. They alleged that a previous team from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had demanded N25,000 from the deceased brothers’ parents.
The ministry’s spokesperson responded by stating that the district head of Tutungo Paiko Local Government Area, Musa Abdullahi, had acknowledged the incident and expressed gratitude for the ministry’s visit.
The tragic loss of the Ibrahim brothers underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and increased public awareness about the dangers associated with illegal mining.
