Zamfara mining pit collapse kills 10 in Maru LGA. State government urges federal action against illegal mining to prevent future disasters

The Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, said the Ministry of Environment visited the site, where 10 bodies were recovered and one person rescued alive.

Also read: Zamfara mosque attack kills five, abducts 20

Kaura explained that the state government had extended condolences to the bereaved families, while stressing that the menace of illegal mining required urgent federal intervention.

“The Federal Government that controls mineral resources must take action on the illegal mining activities taking place in Zamfara state,” Kaura said.

“It is disheartening to note that there are over 20,000 illegal miners currently in the state looking for gold, which is worrisome.”

He warned that unless the practice was checked, more tragedies were inevitable. According to him, many mining pits were at risk of collapse due to excessive rainfall, while banditry could worsen with the influx of miners from within and outside the country.

The governor’s aide added that the chairman of Maru local government council had been directed to compile the names of victims to enable the state to assist their families.

Also read: Zamfara cholera outbreak triggers urgent MSF intervention

Last Wednesday, a mining site collapsed in Kadauri village, also in Maru LGA, where local reports suggested no fewer than 13 bodies were recovered and several others remained trapped.