Niger’s collapsed mine: Lack of equipment makes rescue operations difficult — Police

The Niger State Police Command has dismissed insinuations that insecurity poses a hindrance to the rescue operations of miners still trapped at the mining site in Galadima District, Shiroro Local Government Area.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said in a statement in Minna that on June 3, 2024, at about 1:25 pm, the command received information about a landslide at the African Minerals Mining site at Galadima District via Erena, Shiroro LG.

” Upon receipt of this incident, the Area Commander Shiroro, Officer in Charge of EOD-CBRN, DPO Shiroro Division, among other officers of the command with vigilante members, were mobilised to the scene and made frantic efforts through which six persons were rescued, ” he revealed.

Abiodun, however, explained that the rescue operation had been delayed due to a lack of equipment from the site and the heavy rumbles from the rock, adding that more equipment had been brought to aid the rescue operation.

” In addition, today, June 5, 2024, the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, along with Commissioner for Homeland Security, and Commissioner for Mineral Resources, visited the scene. The engineer at the site confirmed that 20 persons were trapped under the rock but six persons have been rescued, ” Abiodun disclosed.

He further stated that during the visit, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources told the district head and the villagers that they came on behalf of the government and that the government was not happy about the incident.

” The CP also reminded them that mining activities have been banned by the government in the state, but people still go about the activities of mining. He warned the community to desist from such acts, ” he added.