The Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi State has confirmed the death of three persons following the collapse of a mining pit in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident in Abakaliki on Sunday.
Ukandu said the incident occurred on Saturday at Enyim Agalegu community in Ikwo LGA.
“Three people were killed on Saturday when a mining pit collapsed in Enyim Agalegu, a community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State,” he said.
He added that four other persons sustained injuries in the incident.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area visited the scene after receiving information about the collapse, but no official report had been received from the victims’ families.
Also confirming the development, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Chidi Onyi, described the incident as unfortunate.
Onyi attributed recurring pit collapses in mining communities to illegal mining activities driven by the quest for quick financial gains.
He noted that the incident occurred at a site reportedly covered by the mining lease of First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt.