The families and relatives of the victims of a tragic mining pit collapse in Shiroro, Niger State, which left an estimated 50 miners buried alive, are threatening legal action against the pit’s owners and the state government over the lack of compensation.
Although the exact number of victims has been disputed, with authorities initially reporting 14 miners buried while other stakeholders claim over 50 were affected, efforts to recover the bodies from the pit, estimated to be over 400 square metres deep, have been largely unsuccessful, with only partial remains being retrieved.
A relative of one of the deceased miners, Suleiman Isah, told reporters that out of the 14 miners reportedly trapped, nine bodies had been recovered and buried. The bodies of five others, including the chief security officer, were yet to be found.
Angered by the lack of communication, Isah said he and other affected families would sue both the company and the state government.
“This accident affected one of my brothers. We have not heard anything from either the company or the state government.
“It has been two months since the incident, and we still expect compensation,” Isah said.
He explained that while there were reports of likely compensation, the families were prepared to take legal action if no specific steps were taken.
Some members of the victims’ families took a swipe at both the state and federal governments, as well as the mining company, for their insufficient response to the tragedy.
They said it was wrong for companies to rely on obsolete tools and manual labour instead of utilising modern machinery, potentially preventing the rescue of the trapped miners.
Another displeased family member, Abdusalami Kuta, voiced his disappointment at the government’s mishandling of the situation.
Kuta said one of those trapped under the collapsed rock is his younger brother, Isiayku Kuta.
“This government has not been fair to us. We have been praying and hoping for a rescue, but now we believe they will never be found again,” he lamented.
Kuta emphasised that the victims need a proper burial and called for the mining company to compensate the affected families, urging the government to ensure this happens.
