Four people have reportedly lost their lives after a mining pit collapsed in the Baban Rafi area of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State.
The incident reportedly happened on Tuesday while the victims were inside the pit carrying out tin mining activities.
A youth leader in Bokkos, Daniel Tula, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, saying the victims were two men and two women.
According to him, the miners became trapped when the pit suddenly caved in. Their remains were later buried by their relatives.
Tula said the exact circumstances surrounding the collapse were still being investigated, adding that the incident had raised concerns about the safety of miners operating in the community.
He also described it as the first incident of its kind recorded in the area.
However, the Plateau State Police Command said it had not received an official report concerning the reported deaths.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, said he had not been briefed about the incident when contacted.
He explained that mining-related incidents are sometimes not reported to the police, which can make it difficult for authorities to immediately establish what happened.
The police spokesperson, however, said further information would be provided if an official briefing on the incident was received.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Bokkos Local Government Chairman were unsuccessful, as calls to him were not answered.
The reported deaths have once again drawn attention to the dangers associated with mining activities and the need for improved safety measures in mining communities across Plateau State.
