Authorities have recovered four more bodies from the mining pit that collapsed in Galkogo, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State over 2 months ago.
The mining site managed by the African Minerals and Logistics Limited collapsed on June 3, 2024, trapping many miners.
According to the District Head of Galadima-Kogo, Mallam Umar Aliyu, four more corpses were recovered on Wednesday. The bodies were deposited at the mortuary of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist Hospital, Minna.
Aliyu added that the burial for two of the victims had been slated for Friday at the palace of Emir of Minna. The corpses of the remaining two victims would be taken to their hometowns in Nasarawa and Niger states at the requests of their families.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), four more bodies were recovered from the mining pit that collapsed in my community. Two of the victims were Muslims and they would be buried at the Palace of Emir of Minna on Friday. Two were Christians and one was from Nasarawa State while the other one was from Zumba. Their families have requested that the bodies be released to them for burial.
“The rescue of these four more bodies brings the total number of bodies recovered to 14,” Aliyu explained.
He added that the relations of the victims, especially wives, were still traumatised by the sad incident, saying that the community and the mining company had taken up their sustenance.
“The community is helping the families, especially the wives and children. They are still living in shock that came with the incident. Also, the company manager gave each of the families N200,000,” he added.
Some of the children of the victims are already out of school because they had lost their breadwinner.
The district head said the Niger State Government had set up the committee for the disbursement of N50 million to families of the victims to assist them with their sustenance.
