At least 10 miners have been confirmed dead and five others injured after an illegal mining site collapsed in Kadauri village, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The tragedy occurred following heavy rainfall that weakened the site’s structure.
Local sources blamed the collapse on the failure of miners and site managers to adopt safety measures despite warning signs.
“So far, ten bodies have been pulled from the rubble, while the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment,” a source told reporters.
He added that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.
The affected area is already notorious for bandit attacks and criminal activities, making rescue operations risky.
All victims were confirmed to be engaged in illegal mining at the time of the incident.
Residents in the area warned that more miners might still be trapped beneath the debris.
Meanwhile, mining-related violence also rocked Kebbi State earlier in the week.
SaharaReporters reported that Governor Nasir Idris described conditions at the Marrarabar Yauri gold mining site as “slave-like.”
His remarks followed deadly clashes between local and foreign miners that left one person dead and several properties destroyed.
The unrest began last Saturday after a miner was killed during a dispute over gold.
In retaliation, the victim’s relatives launched counterattacks, sparking widespread violence.
Eyewitnesses said shops were looted, motorcycles set ablaze, and residents fled the community.
To contain the chaos, the Yauri Local Government Council imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew, running from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Security forces have since stepped up patrols to enforce order and prevent further clashes.
The twin tragedies in Zamfara and Kebbi highlight the deadly consequences of illegal mining and the growing insecurity tied to the sector.
Both state governments are under increasing pressure to regulate mining operations and protect communities from further loss of lives and property.