A total of 22 miners are believed to have died when a mining pit collapsed on them in Gashaka-Gumti National Park.
“They were mining gold in an area known as the Buffa zone within the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, covering parts of both Gashaka and Toungo. All 22 miners trapped in the pit are presumed dead,” he said.
Chairman of Toungo LGA, Engineer Suleiman Toungo, confirmed that five miners had been found dead, though he was uncertain of the exact number still buried.
He said the incident, involving miners from various parts of Nigeria, including Zamfara and Adamawa, occurred almost a month ago.
The national game reserve, known for its mineral resources, has seen multiple fatalities over recent years due to unregulated mining activities.
A Tila village resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said approximately 70 miners lost their lives in similar incidents in 2023.
Adamawa Police Public Relations Officer SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje confirmed two recent reports of fatalities from mining pit collapse.
SP Nguroje stated that the police are collaborating with the Gumti National Park authorities to apprehend the illegal miners.
