A crowded mining pit in Taraba
A mining pit located at Mayo Kam community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State has collapsed on illegal miners, killing no fewer than 20 people including women and children.
The incident which occured on Thursday has thrown the community members into mourning.
Those who were killed in the mining pit are reportedly members of the Mayo Kam community.
“A mining pit has collapsed on miners at Mayo Kam village in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State this very afternoon. Over 20 people feared dead. A resident of Mayo Kam community, Kenneth Ayila, told our correspondent.
One of the community leaders, Mallam Usman Bello, told our correspondent on phone that the incident has thrown the community in total mourning.
“Those who are killed in the mini pit are mostly from Mayo Kam community, only few persons that use to come from outside communities to do mining in the pit.
“We are in total shock over the incident”, Mallam Bello said while speaking in Hausa language.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Taraba State Police Command, Mr. Victor Msherizar, said the command is yet to receive the report from the police area command in Bali LGA.
“We have not gotten the official report from the police area command Bali, as soon as we get the details, I will get you information”, Msherizar said.
The incident has raised fresh questions about mining activities in the state, particularly amid reports of an existing ban on illegal mining operations in Taraba.
