In a desperate race against time, emergency officials in Nigeria are currently engaged in efforts to rescue around 30 miners who have become trapped following a collapse in a pit caused by heavy rains, resulting in at least one fatality. The incident took place in the Shiroro district of central Niger State, where laborers employed by a local company were working late into the night when disaster struck.
Abdullahi Baba Ara, the head of the state relief agency SEMA, revealed to AFP that over 30 miners are stranded underground following the collapse. While one person has sadly lost their life, six others have been rescued but have sustained serious injuries. However, the exact number of miners still trapped remains uncertain, with rescue operations being hindered by the presence of heavily armed criminal groups, commonly known as bandits.
The area is notable for its mining of various minerals, including gold, tantalite, and lithium, but the rescue mission is encountering difficulties due to the challenging terrain and limited equipment. Security personnel have advised against deploying to the area due to the hazardous nature of the region, as bandits continue to pose a significant threat to the safety of rescue officials and miners alike.
The Shiroro district has been a target for bandit attacks, with the criminals engaging in looting and kidnapping for ransom. The situation intensified on Sunday when six individuals were abducted, followed by an additional 20 being taken on Tuesday, according to the SEMA report. Furthermore, the state government imposed a ban on mining activities in Shiroro, Munya, and Rafi districts last year due to concerns regarding security and safety. Despite this prohibition, artisanal miners have persisted in their mining activities as a means of generating income for essential needs, particularly after being displaced from their homes and farmlands as a result of bandit raids.
In conclusion, the efforts to rescue the miners trapped in the collapsed pit are facing numerous challenges, including security threats and adverse weather conditions. The situation highlights the serious risks faced by miners in the region, as well as the looming presence of criminal elements. The urgency of the rescue mission is further heightened by the perilous conditions in which the miners find themselves. The Nigerian authorities remain resolutely committed to ensuring the safe retrieval of the trapped individuals, battling against the odds to bring them to safety.