Over 20 killed as mining pit collapse in Taraba

By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

A mining pit, located at Mayo Kam community in Bali Local Government area of Taraba State collapsed on illegal miners, killing not fewer than 20 people including women and children.

The incident which happened on Thursday has thrown the communities around the area in total mourning. Those who were killed in the mining pit are reportedly to be mostly members of the Mayo Kam community.

“A mining pit has collapsed on miners at Mayo Kam village in Bali Local Government area of Taraba State this very afternoon, with over 20 people feared dead,,   a resident of Mayo Kam, Kenneth Ayila told our correspondent.

Also speaking, Mallam Usman Bello who said he is one of the community leaders told our correspondent on phone that the incident has thrown the community into total mourning.

“Those killed in the mining pit are mostly from Mayo Kam community,. Only few persons come from outside communities to do mining in the pit. We are in total shock over the incident,” Bello stated while speaking in Hausa language.

Police in the state have confirmed that five persons were killed at the Mayo Kam mining pit in Taraba. The police spokesman Mr. Victor Msherizar confirmed this to our correspondent in a phone interview.  The incident has raised fresh questions about mining activities in the state, particularly amid reports of an existing ban on illegal mining operations in Taraba.