The Federal Government has taken charge of rescue operations after a mine pit collapsed in Kadauri Village, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, leaving 13 miners dead and two still missing.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) deployed its officers in Zamfara to work with state officials and local responders in the search-and-rescue efforts.
Fifteen miners were trapped when the pit caved in following heavy rainfall. So far, 13 bodies have been recovered, with efforts ongoing to find the remaining two.
Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, described the tragedy as “avoidable and unfortunate,” blaming the collapse on unsafe mining activities by illegal operators.