More than 100 artisanal miners are feared dead after a gold pit collapsed in Kadauri, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The incident happened on Thursday while dozens of miners were working underground. Local residents said the pit caved in, leaving scores trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue operations continued through Friday, with only a handful of survivors pulled out alive. So far, at least 13 bodies have been recovered, while witnesses estimate that more than 100 people were in the pit at the time of the collapse. Some volunteers involved in the rescue were also said to have lost their lives after suffocating during the digging process. Families of victims gathered at the site in grief, while authorities had yet to issue an official response as of Friday evening.
The collapse has renewed concerns over illegal mining in Zamfara, where armed groups often control gold fields, leading to frequent violence and deadly accidents. Residents said that the absence of safety standards and official oversight continues to put lives at risk.
In a related development, the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) raised alarm over the rising trend of illegal mining along its pipeline corridors. Speaking at its annual workshop in Lagos, the company’s representatives said that miners were creating pits as deep as five meters within the right-of-way of the pipeline, threatening both lives and infrastructure. Heavy equipment such as excavators and trucks were reported to be operating close to the pipeline, raising the risk of a fire or explosion.
WAPCo said it was working with security agencies, including the Police and Civil Defence Corps, to monitor activities and arrest those encroaching on restricted areas. Officials explained that any disturbance to the high-pressure underground gas pipeline could trigger a major disaster, destroying lives and property in surrounding communities.
Local mining associations admitted that illegal mining has caused environmental damage but insisted that their registered members were being monitored to prevent encroachment near the pipeline. They accused some illegal operators of colluding with security personnel.
Traditional rulers in affected areas described the situation as economic sabotage and a threat to the safety of residents. They announced plans to work with the government and law enforcement to ensure that only licensed miners operate and that all activities comply with legal safety standards.