Eight miners have died after a mining pit at Zurfi Mining Company in Nahuta village, Gwana District of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, was flooded during a heavy downpour.
The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. on September 26, 2026, while contracted miners were working at Pit 3.
According to the Bauchi State Police Command, one miner identified as Abner was electrocuted during the incident. He was rescued and taken to General Hospital Kashere in neighbouring Gombe State, where he was pronounced dead.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in Alkaleri led a team to the site to support rescue efforts for miners trapped underground.
The mining company deployed three water pumps to drain the flooded pit and allow rescuers to reach the trapped workers.
After several hours of rescue operations involving the police and local vigilantes, eight additional bodies were recovered around 11:20 a.m. on September 27.
The victims were taken to General Hospital Kashere, where they were pronounced dead by medical doctors.
The deceased were identified as Hamidu Ali, 40, from Nasarawa State; Saidu Abubakar, 29, Nasarawa; Olije Abdulrazak, 25, Kogi; Musa Abdullahi, 29, Bauchi; Abdulrahman Muazu, 23, Bauchi; Jafar Abbas, 24, Bauchi; Jose Ukese, 28, Nasarawa; and Haruna Alkali, 30, Kebbi.
The police said post-mortem examinations were conducted before the remains were released to their relatives for burial according to their respective religious rites.
The command said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Preliminary findings indicated that the mining company was registered and licensed. However, investigators are expected to establish whether adequate safety measures were in place when the pit flooded.
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