Tragedy struck the Dura community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday night as an illegal mining site collapsed, leaving at least four people dead and several others feared trapped underground.
Eyewitnesses said the incident happened late Thursday when some youths, defying repeated government warnings, sneaked into the mining site after local vigilantes had left for the day. The site, believed to be unsafe, had been shut down previously, but illegal activities reportedly continued under the cover of darkness.
One local resident, who spoke under condition of anonymity, confirmed that four bodies had so far been recovered from the rubble, and rescue efforts were still ongoing.
“We had a tragic situation in Dura community. A mining site collapsed last night. I don’t know the total number of people trapped, but I can confirm to you that some people were inside the pit. Four bodies have been recovered already,” the resident said.
The collapse has thrown the community into mourning, with many residents expressing concern over the rising cases of illegal mining in the state and the lack of enforcement to stop it.
Mr. Solomon Dung, an aide to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Artisanal Mining, also confirmed the incident. Speaking to journalists on Friday, Dung said he received news of the collapse that morning and was on his way to the scene.
“It happened yesterday (Thursday) at Dura community. From what I was told, some boys were working in a mining pit, and the ground just collapsed on four of them,” he said.
“Three died instantly, and one other person was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, he also died. I am just heading to the community to get more details.”
Dung noted that the state government has repeatedly warned residents, especially the youth, against engaging in illegal mining activities, which pose serious dangers to their lives and the environment. He added that the tragedy further highlights the need for stronger community engagement and tighter security around abandoned and illegal mining sites.
Illegal mining has become a growing problem in Plateau State, particularly in Jos South and other mineral-rich areas. Despite efforts by the state government to clamp down on unlicensed mining operations, many sites remain active due to weak enforcement and the lure of quick money among unemployed youths.
The Plateau State Government is expected to issue an official statement following investigations into the incident. Meanwhile, community members and emergency workers continue search-and-rescue efforts amid fears that more bodies may still be trapped underground.
This latest incident adds to the growing list of mining-related accidents across Nigeria, raising fresh concerns about safety, regulation, and environmental degradation in the nation’s mining sector.
