19 die in Niger mining pits in 11 months
Two suspected illegal miners have died following the collapse of a mining pit in Niger State, raising the total number of fatalities from mining-related incidents in the state to 19 within the past 11 months. The latest incident occurred on Sunday night at a gold mining site in Farin-Doki, Shiroro Local Government Area. The victims, […]
Two suspected illegal miners have died following the collapse of a mining pit in Niger State, raising the total number of fatalities from mining-related incidents in the state to 19 within the past 11 months.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday night at a gold mining site in Farin-Doki, Shiroro Local Government Area.
The victims, identified only as Buhari and Mallam Tasiu, both from Kano State, were reportedly mining gold at the time of the collapse.
Daily Trust gathered that the site is managed by African Minerals and Logistics Limited, a federal government-licensed company.
However, sources disclosed that the victims, although employed by a mining company, returned to the site hours after they were chased away by security officials, to carry out illegal mining for personal gain.
One resident, speaking anonymously, said the collapse occurred near the location of a previous pit disaster on June 3, 2024, which trapped 14 workers.
He added that the company had earlier engaged security operatives to clamp down on illegal mining, prompting some miners to resort to nighttime operations.
“It’s true a mining pit collapsed. It happened opposite the site that caved in last year, still within the area covered by the company’s license.
“After they were chased away by security on Sunday afternoon, the workers returned at night to continue mining. Unfortunately, the pit collapsed, killing two of them,” he explained.
Another local confirmed the incident that occurred in Gofa village.
The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.
He said, “On April 12, 2025, at about 8am, we received information about a pit collapse at a mining site in Farin-Doki, Shiroro LGA. Two individuals-Buhari Kano and Mallam Tasiu, both from Kano State-were trapped.
“Police officers from Erena Division and residents mobilised for rescue, but the victims were found dead. Their bodies were taken to a hospital in Zumba.
“Preliminary investigations suggest they were engaged in illegal mining when the collapse occurred. Further investigation is ongoing.”
Previous incidents
At least 19 miners have died in various pit collapses across Niger State within the past 11 months.
The deadliest occurred on June 3, 2024, at Galadima-Kogo in Shiroro LGA, when a pit over 400 meters deep caved in, trapping 14 workers.
The mining site, operated by African Minerals and Logistics Limited, and located in the bandit-ravaged enclave of Shiroro area, collapsed after torrential rains.
Some mutilated bodies were recovered months later.
Ten days later, on June 13, 2024, another collapse at a mining site in Adunu village, Kafin-Koro Ward, Paikoro LGA, claimed three lives and injured one.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency said, “The incident occurred in the early hours of June 13 and involved local miners illegally scavenging for gold. Three were confirmed dead, and one was rescued alive with injuries.”
Niger a hotbed of illegal mining – EFCC, police
Illegal mining continues to plague Niger State. Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided multiple illegal sites, arresting 33 suspects, who were later transferred to Kaduna.
Bawa Usman Kaltungo, EFCC Zonal Director for Niger/Kaduna, stated this during a visit to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) office in Minna.
Kaltungo noted that illegal mining and internet fraud have become growing concerns in the state.
“Illegal mining is a serious nationwide issue. We recently conducted an operation in Jos and arrested several suspects, including four Chinese nationals.
“Those found not culpable were released while four Chinese suspects remain in our custody and will face trial soon,” he said.
The Nigerian Miners Association confirmed the suspects were arrested at sites in Minna and Gada-Eregi, Katcha LGA.
In December 2024, the Niger State Police Command announced the arrest of five Burkinabè nationals for illegal mining near the Garatu community, Bosso LGA.
The then Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmaman, handed the suspects over to the Nigeria Immigration Service and expressed concern over the spread of illegal mining activities, particularly in Rafi, Shiroro, Katcha, Paikoro and Chanchaga LGAs.
Experts blame pit collapses on poor regulation, enforcement
Frequent mining pit collapses in Niger State have been attributed to non-compliance with operational guidelines by mining companies and weak enforcement of regulations by the federal government, according to experts in the sector.
Yusuf Shuaibu Mami, Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Miners Association of Nigeria (Niger State), stressed the urgent need for consistent supervision and monitoring of mining activities to prevent further disasters.
He highlighted three major issues: disregard for regulatory procedures by mining companies, inadequate manpower within regulatory agencies, and insufficient government support for miners.
According to him, many companies begin operations without conducting environmental impact assessments, often hiring unskilled labourers to extract minerals hastily without safety measures in place.
Mami noted that Niger State, which spans a landmass comparable to five other Nigerian states combined, has only one federal mines officer and a handful of support staff. This shortage, he argued, hampers effective oversight.
He also called on the government to increase investment in both human resources and logistics for regulatory bodies.
Also, he proposed the creation of loan facilities for miners, similar to those available in the agriculture sector, to help ensure compliance with operational standards.
“Many miners operate without adequate funds or knowledge to follow regulations or engage relevant officials for proper guidance,” Mami said.
He emphasised the importance of conducting feasibility studies, including environmental impact assessments, before any mining activity begins.
He said such studies help identify unstable areas and reduce the risk of accidents.
He urged the government to recruit more technical experts, such as geologists and ensure regular inspection of mining sites.
Habibu Abubakar Wushishi, co-chairman of the Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities, revealed that Niger State recorded at least six mining pit collapses in the past year alone.
These occurred in areas including Galadima-Kogo, Adunu, Kafin-Koro, Farin-Doki, and Kate-Eregi.
He added that many more incidents are likely to go unreported, as miners often avoid public attention to continue operating illegally.
To address the issue, Wushishi advocated strict adherence to mining regulations by all stakeholders-the Federal Ministry of Mines, miners’ associations, NGOs, and civil society groups.
He also emphasised the importance of sensitising artisanal miners on the risks of illegal mining and the proper techniques and tools required for safe operations.
Wushishi reiterated the need for increased supervision across states.
He pointed out that Niger State, which accounts for about 10 per cent of Nigeria’s landmass and holds vast mineral deposits, is inadequately supervised due to the limited number of mines officers.
He also highlighted a structural problem: mining falls under the exclusive legislative list of the federal government, leaving state governments with little authority to regulate or enforce mining laws.
While some governors have issued directives to curb illegal mining, these efforts have had little effect due to the lack of legal backing.
“There’s a need for the federal government to delegate some level of authority to state ministries of mineral resources. This will enable them to take active roles in monitoring and stopping illegal mining operations within their territories,” he said.
Senate asks traditional rulers to check illegal mining
The Senate, through its Committee on Solid Minerals Development, has asked traditional rulers in the country to check the activities of illegal miners in their areas of jurisdiction.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South), made the call while on an oversight function to mining sites in Jos, Plateau State, yesterday.
The senator also said the 10th Senate would closely monitor to ensure the judicious use of the N1 trillion earmarked in the 2025 budget to revive and boost the solid minerals sector.
Senator Sampson, who was represented by the deputy chairman of the committee, Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, said, “We urge traditional rulers to check the activities of unlicensed miners who have been exploiting the sector at the expense of licensed operators.”
He said the Senate would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to achieve his “renewed hope” agenda for the country.
The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, asked the Senate to insist that the minister of Solid Minerals Development did the needful to regulate mining activities in Nigeria.
He told the committee that insecurity has persisted in the state due to the activities of illegal miners.
“Young Nigerians in the state are being killed in the mining pits while institutions and other residential buildings are being threatened due to devastating mining activities,” he said.
He further noted that the hike in the prices of foodstuffs and the decline in school enrolment in the state was a result of increasing illegal mining activities.
The royal father revealed that it was the reason the Plateau State government activated Executive Order 001, which has temporarily suspended mining operations in the state.