Tragedy struck on Thursday night in the Dura community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, when a mining site caved in, killing four people.
Eyewitnesses said the victims were inside the pit when the ground suddenly gave way, trapping them.
A community resident, Chuwang Davou, confirmed the incident, describing it as a devastating loss. “Yes, we have a tragic situation in Dura. A mining site collapsed last night. Some people were inside the pit,” he told The Newsmen on Friday.
The Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Artisanal Mining, Solomon Dung, also confirmed the development. According to him, three miners died instantly, while one was rushed to the hospital but later passed away.
“It happened yesterday at Dura community. From what I was told, some boys were working in a mining pit and the ground just collapsed on four of them,” he said.
The Plateau State Police Command could not be reached for official comment as of the time of filing this report.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with artisanal mining in Plateau communities.
Meanwhile, stakeholders, including the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the University of Jos, have renewed calls for safer mining practices. At a recent workshop in the state, PTDF Executive Secretary, Ahmed Galadima, and UNIJOS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, stressed that adherence to international standards could reduce accidents and insecurity in mining areas.
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