Three Killed, Four Injured as Mining Pit Collapses in Ebonyi
Three people lost their lives and four others were injured on Saturday when a mining pit collapsed in Enyim Agalegu, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The pit, under the mining lease of First Patriots Limited (formerly Royal Salt), was reportedly the site of ongoing illegal mining activities. Collins Oboke, National Chairperson of Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke Federated Union, confirmed the incident, stating that he mobilised community members after receiving a distress call around 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Community members recovered the bodies of three victims and rescued four injured miners.
Oboke noted that the community had previously petitioned both the company and the Ebonyi State Ministry of Solid Minerals to release the pit for controlled local mining once the company completed its main operations, but their requests were declined.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development in Ebonyi State, Chidi Onyi, described the incident as unfortunate and expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased. He attributed recurring accidents in mining areas to illegal mining driven by greed and emphasised that the site remains under an active private mining lease.
Ifeanyi Nwakpu, the lawmaker representing Ikwo North Constituency, confirmed the recovery of the bodies and said the four injured victims are receiving treatment in hospital. He noted it was unclear whether the victims were company staff or artisanal miners and stressed that preventive measures, including securing or closing abandoned pits, are necessary to avoid future casualties.
The Chief Security Officer of First Patriots Limited, Stephen Eze, explained that attempts to prevent illegal mining had been met with resistance from local youths who repeatedly accessed the pit both day and night. Security interventions have been limited to avoid further accidents.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the collapse and ensure the safety of remaining miners while considering controlled mining measures to prevent additional incidents.
