The Federal Government has taken over rescue operations after a tragic mine pit collapse in Kadauri Village, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State claimed the lives of 13 miners, with two still missing.
The incident occurred earlier this week when a section of the mine suddenly caved in, trapping a group of local miners inside. According to officials, the collapse was triggered by heavy rainfall, which weakened the already unstable structure of the pit.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) confirmed that 15 people were inside the pit at the time of the collapse. As of the latest reports, 13 bodies have been recovered from the rubble. Search-and-rescue teams are still working to locate the remaining two miners who are feared dead.
In a swift response, the federal government deployed personnel from the ministry to the site to coordinate efforts alongside Zamfara State officials and local emergency responders.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, describing the incident as both “avoidable” and “unfortunate.” He placed the blame squarely on illegal mining operations that ignored safety standards.
“I received with deep shock the report of the incident in Zamfara, which has sadly claimed lives,” said Dr. Alake. “Our first responders are on site, and once rescue operations are concluded, the mine will be sealed off.”
The minister added that the government would take tougher steps against illegal mining across the country to prevent further loss of lives and damage to the environment.
Preliminary investigations by the ministry revealed that the collapsed site in Kadauri was being illegally mined. The area is known to have loose, sandy soil and traces of gold, which makes it attractive to local miners but also highly unstable.
Officials noted that no formal approval or safety inspection had been carried out at the site before mining began. As a result, the pit was not reinforced, making it vulnerable to collapse—especially after heavy rain.
Illegal mining has been a major problem in Zamfara State and other parts of northern Nigeria. Aside from safety concerns, unregulated mining has been linked to environmental degradation, lead poisoning, and even security issues, as some sites are reportedly controlled by armed groups.
The federal government has repeatedly warned against illegal mining, but enforcement remains a challenge, particularly in remote areas.
Residents of Kadauri Village have been thrown into mourning. Families of the deceased miners gathered at the site, hoping for news of their loved ones.
One local resident, who did not want to be named, told reporters that the miners were mostly young men who depended on mining for daily survival.
“They were just trying to feed their families,” he said. “Now they are gone.”
The state government has promised to support the affected families, while also pledging to work with federal authorities to improve mining safety in the region.
Dr. Alake confirmed that the collapsed mine will be completely sealed off after the rescue operation is concluded to prevent further danger to the public.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development also stated that it will intensify efforts to regulate mining activities, and educate communities on the dangers of illegal mining.
