At least three people were killed on Saturday when an illegal mining site collapsed in Enyim Agalegu Community, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The incident occurred around 4pm at a site under mining lease to First Patriots Limited, formerly Royal Salt, according to eyewitnesses.
Mr Oboke Chukwuma Collins, National Chairman of Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke Federated Union, said he received a distress call about the cave-in and immediately mobilized community members for a rescue operation.
“When we arrived, we had to remove large amounts of debris covering the victims. Three bodies were recovered, and four injured persons were rescued and taken to hospital,” Collins said.
He confirmed the mining activity was unauthorized, explaining that community leaders had previously petitioned both the company and the state Ministry of Solid Minerals to release the pit for regulated local mining after the company allegedly finished work at the main site. Those requests were denied.
“We approached them formally, even contacting the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, but they refused. Community leadership eventually stopped pushing for it. With these latest deaths, we’ve now lost five people at this location,” Collins stated.
State Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Hon Chidi Onyia, blamed the recurring mining accidents on illegal operations fueled by greed and the desire for quick profits.
While acknowledging the ministry received letters last year from community leaders seeking access to part of the site, Onyia said officials responded that they lacked authority to grant such requests since the land falls under a private mining lease.
“We had no knowledge this site had been abandoned. As far as we know, it remains an active operation belonging to First Patriots,” the commissioner said.
Onyia urged those financing illegal mining operations to stop putting young, unemployed miners at risk while avoiding danger themselves.
Hon Ifeanyi Nwakpu, lawmaker representing Ikwo North Constituency, confirmed three bodies had been taken to the mortuary while four injured victims were hospitalized. He said it remained unclear whether the victims were company employees or independent artisanal miners.
The legislator said he had previously warned the company to either close the abandoned pit or properly secure it to prevent casualties, and had supported the community’s request for controlled access to the site.
Eze Stephen, Chief Security Officer for First Patriots Limited, said security personnel had repeatedly prevented people from illegally mining at the location.
“The company once tried to seal it off, but youths mobilized and threatened violence if we proceeded. They come day and night. We can’t use force because it’s dangerous—we don’t want anyone falling into the water while fleeing,” Stephen explained.
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