Four suspected illegal miners die as pit collapses in Plateau

Four suspected illegal miners have died after a sand excavation pit collapsed at Tangur community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, when troops of Sector 5, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), Bokkos, responded to a report of a collapsed sand pit along a river line in the community.

The troops, who visited the scene, confirmed that four people had died in the incident.

One of the victims was identified as Mallam Fahad Aliyu, while the identities of the three women who also died were yet to be established.

The bodies were subsequently recovered by relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.

During preliminary inquiries, the troops engaged the community leader over the incident.

The leader reportedly told the troops that he was unaware of the illegal mining activities allegedly taking place at the site.

Further investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the collapse and establish the extent of illegal mining activities in the area.