SAHARA REPORTERS
The District Head of Galadima-Kogo, Mallam Umar Aliyu, has confirmed that four additional bodies were recovered from the collapsed mining pit in Galkogo, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, over two months after the tragic incident.
The collapse, which occurred on June 3, 2024, trapped numerous labourers at a site managed by the African Minerals and Logistics Limited.
Aliyu, speaking from Minna, disclosed that the bodies were found on Wednesday and were subsequently deposited at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Specialist Hospital mortuary.
He added that the burial for two of the victims was scheduled for Friday at the Palace of the Emir of Minna, while the other two bodies would be returned to their hometowns in Nasarawa State as requested by their families.
“Yesterday, four more bodies were recovered from the mining pit that collapsed in my community,” Aliyu said.
“Two of the victims were Muslims and will be buried at the Emir’s Palace on Friday.
“The other two were Christians, with one from Nasarawa State and the other from Zumba. Their families have requested their bodies for burial.”
With this recovery, the total number of bodies retrieved from the site now stands at 14.
The District Head expressed concerns for the families of the victims, noting that many, especially the wives, are still traumatised by the incident.
He mentioned that both the community and the mining company had been supporting these families.
“The community is helping the families, especially the wives and children, who are still living in shock. The company manager also provided each family with N200,000,” he said.
Aliyu highlighted that many of the victims’ children have been forced out of school due to the loss of their fathers, who were the primary breadwinners.
He also mentioned that the Niger State Government had set up a committee to disburse N50million to support the victims’ families.
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