Ebonyi Mining Pit Collapse Kills Three, Injures Four

Ebonyi Mining Pit Collapse Kills Three, Injures Four
Four others sustained injuries and received medical treatment.
Government blamed illegal mining and warned against risky operations.

Three persons have died and four others were injured after a mining pit collapsed in Enyim Agalegu community, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The victims were reportedly carrying out mining activities at the site on Saturday when the pit suddenly caved in. Community sources said the injured were rushed to hospital shortly after the incident for medical treatment.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the National Chairman of Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke Federated Union, Oboke Chukwuma Collins, confirmed the development on Sunday, stating that he received a distress call around 4 p.m. on Saturday informing him of the collapse.

“Well, it was yesterday afternoon, around 4 p.m., that I got a call that the place where people are engaged in illegal mining here has collapsed, and I rushed to this place,” he said.

Chukwuma Collins explained that community members mobilised immediately for rescue efforts.

“We evacuated some overburden on top of some lifeless people, like three of them, and we rescued about four that were injured,” he stated.

He disclosed that the community had previously written to the company managing the site and the Ebonyi State Ministry of Solid Minerals, requesting that the pit be handed over for controlled community mining after the company allegedly completed operations at the main pit. According to him, the request was rejected.

“We engaged them in writing, even to the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, but they said no. So we, the leadership of the community, backed off from the agitation,” he added, lamenting that five persons have now died at the site in recent times.

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyia, who visited the scene, described the incident as unfortunate and sympathised with the families of the deceased.

“It is never our interest or intention to lose some of our people who are under our care,” Onyia said.

Ebonyi Mining Pit Collapse Kills Three, Injures Four

He maintained that the site belongs to First Patriots and remains active, noting that both state and federal authorities were not aware of any abandonment. Onyia attributed recurring accidents to illegal mining driven by the quest for quick money and warned that sponsors often avoid risks while unemployed youths bear the consequences.

“It is high time we prioritise lives above monetary value,” he said.