Police have confirmed that three people lost their lives when a mining pit collapsed in Enyim Agalegu, a community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on Saturday.
According to a statement by SP Joshua Ukandu, spokesperson for the Ebonyi Police Command, four others were also injured in the incident, which occurred at a pit previously operated by First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt.
Ukandu said the police received information about the incident, and the Divisional Police Officer visited the scene; however, no official report has yet been received from the victims’ families.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Chidi Onyi, also confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate. He attributed the recurring collapses in mining communities to illegal mining activities driven by greed.
The pit where the collapse occurred is reportedly covered by the mining lease of First Patriots Limited, Onyi added.
(NAN)
