Tragedy struck Mayo Kam community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State on Thursday when a mining pit collapsed on illegal miners, leaving more than 20 people, including women and children, feared dead.
The incident occurred in the afternoon while the miners were reportedly working inside the pit, triggering panic and plunging the community into mourning.
Although the casualty figure had yet to be officially confirmed as of press time, residents said more than 20 miners were believed to have been trapped beneath the earth following the collapse.
A resident of the community, Kenneth Ayila, who confirmed the incident to LEADERSHIP, said the miners were inside the pit when it suddenly caved in.
“A mining pit has collapsed on miners at Mayo Kam village in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State this afternoon. Over 20 people are feared dead,” Ayila said.
A community leader, Mallam Usman Bello, said the scale of the tragedy had left residents in shock, stressing that most of the victims were indigenes of Mayo Kam.
“Those who were killed in the mining pit are mostly from Mayo Kam community. Only a few people usually come from neighbouring communities to engage in mining here,” Bello said.
“We are in total shock over the incident,” he added.
The Taraba State Police Command, however, said it had not received an official report on the incident from its Bali Area Command.
The Command’s spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah, told LEADERSHIP that the police headquarters was awaiting a formal report before releasing details.
“We have not received the official report from the police area command in Bali. As soon as we get the details, I will give you the information,” Mshelizah said.
The collapse has renewed scrutiny of mining activities in Taraba, particularly illegal operations over which authorities have repeatedly expressed concerns.
The latest incident also underscores the dangers associated with poorly regulated mining sites, where unstable excavations can expose miners and surrounding communities to deadly collapses.
The incident comes shortly after Taraba State hosted a roundtable summit on mineral investment, where investors from different parts of the world reportedly expressed interest in the state’s mineral resources.
As of press time, the actual number of people killed remained unclear, while efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and the status of possible rescue and recovery operations were ongoing.
Tragedy struck in Mayo Kam community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State on Thursday, when a mining pit collapsed on illegal miners, leaving more than 20 people, including women and children dead.
