Tragedy struck Enyim Agalegu community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Saturday after a mining pit collapsed, killing no fewer than three persons and leaving several others injured.
The incident occurred at a mining site reportedly operated by First Patriots Limited, a company formerly known as Royal Salt. The collapse happened in the afternoon and trapped miners beneath heaps of earth before help could reach them.
Community leaders and government officials who visited the scene on Sunday described the development as unfortunate and painful, especially as it adds to previous deaths recorded at the same site.
Confirming the incident to journalists at the scene, the National Chairman of the Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke Federated Union, Chief Oboke Chukwuma Collins, said he received a distress call at about 4 p.m. on Saturday.
According to him, he was informed that the mining pit had suddenly caved in while some persons were inside working.
“I immediately rushed down to the site and mobilised members of the community to assist in rescue efforts,” Collins said.
He explained that community members worked quickly to remove the overburden, which refers to the heavy layer of soil and rocks that covered the trapped miners.
“We evacuated some overburden on top of some lifeless people, like three of them, and we rescued about four who are injured,” he said.
The injured victims were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Collins expressed deep sadness over the incident. He noted that the latest tragedy brings the total number of persons who have died at the site in recent times to five.
The community leader also revealed that there had been previous discussions between the host community and the company operating the site.
According to him, the community had written letters to First Patriots Limited and to the Ebonyi State Ministry of Solid Minerals, requesting that the pit be released to the community for controlled mining after the company allegedly completed work at the main pit.
He claimed that the community believed the company had finished its primary operations at the site and wanted to manage activities there in a more organised manner to ensure safety.
“We engaged them in writing, even to the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, but they said no. So we, the leadership of the community, backed off from the agitation,” Collins added.
He described the current activity at the site as illegal, suggesting that some persons might have been mining without proper approval or supervision.
Mining has become a major economic activity in parts of Ebonyi State, which is rich in solid minerals such as salt, lead, zinc, and limestone. However, concerns have often been raised about unsafe practices, especially in small-scale and informal mining operations.
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyi, also visited the scene on Sunday.
He described the collapse as unfortunate and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
“It is never our interest or intention to lose some of our people who are under our care,” he said.
Onyi attributed the recurring accidents in mining communities to illegal mining activities. According to him, greed often drives individuals to enter mining pits without proper authorisation or safety measures.
The commissioner said the government was not aware that the site had been abandoned.
“This site belongs to First Patriots. Neither the state nor the federal government is aware that this site has been abandoned. The site is still very active,” he said.
His statement suggests that the company remains responsible for activities at the location, although questions remain about who was working in the pit at the time of the collapse.
Mining pit collapses are not new in Nigeria. In many parts of the country, especially in rural communities, illegal and poorly regulated mining has led to frequent accidents.
In Ebonyi State, mining contributes to local income and employment. Many youths engage in small-scale mining as a source of livelihood due to limited job opportunities. However, these activities are often carried out without adequate training or protective equipment.
Residents of Enyim Agalegu community are now calling for stricter monitoring of mining activities in the area. Some community members said there should be clear agreements between companies and host communities on how sites are managed after official operations end.
They also urged the state government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine whether safety standards were followed.
There are growing concerns that unless proper action is taken, similar tragedies may continue to occur.
For many families in the community, the loss is not just emotional but also economic. Most of the victims were said to be breadwinners who supported their households through mining activities.
As rescue efforts ended and the site was cordoned off, families of the victims gathered in grief. Some wept openly, while others stood quietly, trying to come to terms with the sudden loss.
Community leaders have appealed for calm and urged youths to avoid entering unstable pits.
The Ebonyi State Government is expected to carry out further investigations into the incident. Officials say they will work with relevant agencies to ensure that mining activities in the state are properly regulated.
The tragedy at Enyim Agalegu once again highlights the dangers associated with unsafe mining practices. While solid minerals remain an important source of income for many communities, safety must remain a top priority.
As the people of Ikwo Local Government Area mourn the dead and pray for the recovery of the injured, there are renewed calls for better oversight, stronger enforcement of mining laws, and closer cooperation between companies, government authorities and host communities.
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