{"id":122604,"date":"2025-09-29T06:35:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T05:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=122604"},"modified":"2025-09-29T06:35:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T05:35:26","slug":"zamfara-mining-tragedy-13-dead-15-trapped-as-fg-coordinates-rescue-efforts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/zamfara-mining-tragedy-13-dead-15-trapped-as-fg-coordinates-rescue-efforts\/","title":{"rendered":"Zamfara Mining Tragedy: 13 Dead, 15 Trapped as FG Coordinates Rescue Efforts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Tracy Moses<\/div>\n
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The Federal Government has confirmed the death of 13 miners following the collapse of a mining pit in Jabaka village, located in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.<\/div>\n
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The incident, which followed intense rainfall, reportedly left 15 informal miners trapped underground. As of the time of filing this report, only two bodies remain unaccounted for.<\/div>\n
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According to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, federal mining officers stationed in Zamfara have been deployed to spearhead rescue operations in conjunction with state emergency officials.<\/div>\n
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In a statement issued through his Media Aide on Sunday, Segun Tomori, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, described the incident as both tragic and preventable, stating that the affected mining location would be shut down once search and recovery operations are concluded.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI was deeply saddened to receive news of the tragic event in Zamfara, which has unfortunately led to a loss of lives. Our emergency teams have been dispatched and are currently collaborating with state authorities in the rescue mission. Once complete, we will seal off the site,\u201d the Minister stated.<\/div>\n
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Initial findings suggest that the mining pit, located on loose, sandy terrain containing traces of gold, had been exploited by illegal miners using basic, unsafe equipment, thereby exposing them to significant risks.<\/div>\n
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Dr. Alake recalled that the Federal Government had earlier introduced the Mining Marshals, a specialized unit created to crack down on illegal mining activities. The task force has so far made over 300 arrests and shut down 98 illegal mining sites nationwide.<\/div>\n
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He further revealed that plans are underway to expand the Mining Marshals\u2019 operations by equipping them with additional personnel and improved logistics.<\/div>\n
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As part of a broader reform, the ministry has also begun the rollout of satellite-based monitoring systems to enable real-time tracking of mining activities across Nigeria.<\/div>\n
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While a comprehensive investigation into the Zamfara mine collapse is pending, Dr. Alake reaffirmed the government\u2019s firm stance against illegal mining, which he described as a national threat.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are committed to eliminating illegal mining from this country. Through enhanced surveillance technology and stricter enforcement, we intend to reduce the frequency of such disasters and dismantle the networks that sustain illegal operations,\u201d he concluded.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n