Four Miners Reportedly Killed as Pit Collapses in Plateau

Four miners have reportedly died after a mining pit collapsed in the Baban Rafi area of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday while the victims were inside the pit mining tin, according to a Bokkos youth leader, Daniel Tula.

Tula told Channels Television that the victims comprised two men and two women. He said they became trapped after the pit collapsed and were later buried by their relatives.

The youth leader described the incident as the first of its kind recorded in the area and raised concerns about the safety of miners operating in the community.

He said the exact circumstances surrounding the collapse were still being established but confirmed that the four victims were involved in tin mining when the pit caved in.

However, the Plateau State Police Command said it had not received any official report confirming the reported deaths. Police spokesperson SP Alfred Alabo said he had not been briefed about the incident when contacted.

Alabo explained that miners often do not report such incidents to the police, making it difficult for the command to immediately establish what happened. He said he would provide further information once he received a formal briefing.

Efforts to obtain a response from the chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls seeking confirmation. The reported deaths have renewed concerns about the safety risks associated with mining activities in Plateau communities.