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Niger State has been hit by another mining tragedy, as a collapse in Kakaki took the lives of two siblings, mere months after a similar incident in Shiroro resulted in significant loss of life. The frequency of these disasters raises alarming questions about the industry’s safety standards.
Tragedy befell the Ibrahim family when siblings Zubairu, 20, and Sadiq, 25, lost their lives in a devastating mine collapse in Kakaki village, Paikoro Local Government Area. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving behind a trail of grief and sorrow.
A quiet Saturday morning turned deadly when Zubairu and Sadiq Ibrahim, two brothers with a thirst for adventure, sneaked out of their home to join a group of miners in search of valuable solid minerals.
Their parents, oblivious to their sons’ plans, were left to face the devastating consequences.When Zubairu and Sadiq failed to appear for dinner and evening prayers, their family assumed they were simply out with friends, enjoying a Saturday evening.
But as the hours ticked by, a growing sense of worry led their father, Zubairu Ibrahim, to a horrifying discovery: his sons had gone to the mine to dig for gold, and never returned.
The worst fears of Zubairu Ibrahim, the father of the two brothers, were confirmed when a search party he had dispatched returned with the lifeless bodies of his sons.
The devastating news was compounded by the gruesome details: the brothers had been buried beneath the collapsed soil at the mining site, their lives tragically cut short in the pursuit of gold.
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The bereaved Ibrahim who spoke with officials from the state Ministry of Mineral Resources lamented how he could not cope with life after burying two sons in one day.
The officials who paid a condolence and fact-finding visit to the village were led by the Permanent Secretary, Yunusa Nahauni, and included the ministry’s directors, the Miners Association State Chapter Caretaker Chairman, and the Nigeria Union of Mines Workers.
Nahauni expressed profound regret over the tragic loss of life, emphasizing that the devastating outcome could have been prevented if the community had heeded the governor’s directive suspending mining activities in the state. He reiterated that the ban remains in effect, and the ministry will continue to vigorously enforce it, cracking down on any illegal mining operations.
Nahauni stressed that the government would take a tough stance on anyone violating mining regulations, with legal consequences awaiting those who disregard the rules.
He also expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased, underscoring the need for a thorough inquiry into the accident. Moreover, he urged the community to report any mineral discoveries to the ministry, promising support and guidance.
“We give our condolences to the bereaved family. This death was avoidable if the community had abided by the governor’s order suspending mining in the state. The ministry will continue to crack down on illegal mining operations.
“Anyone found violating these regulations would face legal consequences. There is the need to determine the cause of the accident. The community should inform the ministry whenever they discover any mineral elements in their vicinity so as to receive proper guidance,” he said.
A hostile reception awaited the government team when they tried to inspect the mining site, as villagers, fueled by misconceptions, blocked their path and threatened violence. The team’s mission to evaluate the damage was hindered by the villagers’ belief that they had come to exploit them for financial gain.
According to the villagers, a team from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps had previously visited the village and extorted N25,000 from the parents of the deceased, allegedly to fuel their vehicle.
