A tragic mining pit collapse in the Farin-Doki area of Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, has claimed the lives of four miners and left two others seriously injured. The incident occurred on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at a site operated by African Minerals and Logistics Limited, the same company involved in a similar deadly collapse last year.
The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, stating that information about the collapse was received early Sunday morning. Rescue efforts were immediately launched by police operatives from Erena Division in collaboration with local residents. Unfortunately, four miners were found dead, while two others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a government hospital in Minna for treatment.
This latest tragedy echoes a previous disaster in April 2024, when over 50 miners were trapped in the same mining pit, resulting in eight fatalities. The mining site had been shut down by government authorities following that incident but reportedly resumed operations without proper authorization.
Local community members expressed deep frustration over the recurrence of such deadly incidents, blaming the ongoing economic hardship that drives many into illegal and unsafe mining activities. A source from the Galkogo community lamented, “This is the third time now that the mining pit is collapsing and killing our boys due to the current economic difficulties being experienced by people of the community.”
The Niger State Police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by miners in the region, especially in unregulated mining operations, and raises urgent calls for stricter enforcement of mining safety regulations and better economic alternatives for local communities.
As the investigation continues, families of the victims and residents of Shiroro Local Government Area mourn the loss of their loved ones and hope for stronger measures to safeguard miners’ lives in the future.
