Police confirms death of 3 in mining pit collapse in Ebonyi

The Police Command has confirmed the killing of three people following the collapse of a mining pit in Ebonyi community.

Confirming the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Sunday, SP Joshua Ukandu, Spokesman of the Police Command in the state said four others were injured in the incident which occurred on Saturday.

“Three people were killed on Saturday when a mining pit collapsed in Enyim Agalegu, a community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State,

“We received information on the incident and the DPO in the area also visited the scene but no official report has been received from the victim’s family,” he added.

Also confirming the development, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Chidi Onyi, described the incident as unfortunate.

The commissioner attributed the recurring collapse in mining communities to illegal mining activities, occasioned by greed for money.

“The incident occurred at a pit reportedly covered by the mining lease of First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt,” he said. (NAN)