Four Women Killed As Mining Site Collapses in Bauchi

From David Omokuvie Bauchi

Four women have been killed at a mining site in Gudum Sayawa community, a suburb in Bauchi metropolis.

The four women reportedly lost their lives when a mining site in the area  collapsed, killing three instantly, while one died at the hospital while receiving treatment for injuries sustained.

Inhabitants of Gudum Sayawa are agrarian but a handful have ventured into mining activities recently

Mr. Daniel Iliya, who is the Galadima of Gudum Sayawa, confirmed the incident.

The community leader described it as horrible and unfortunate.

“We need government to come and assess the mining sites to see if they are safe so we do not lose our villagers again,” Iliya said.

“If that is done, it will reduce the risks associated with mining operations”

He argues that the removal of fuel subsidy has compelled residents of the community to engage in unregulated mining activities in the area.

Mr. Jonah Saraki and Mrs. Mary Jonah, parents of one of the deceased described the incident as sad.

“We cautioned some of them at the site to be on alert so that if they sense any danger, they can leave immediately,” Saraki said.

“Mining is helping us a lot because some of our people have started reaping the benefits as those who could barely afford food can now do so.

“We and our children go to the mining site and dig for precious stones. Since the cost of living has shot up, we have no choice, our husbands cannot afford to foot our bills anymore leaving us with no choice”

At the mining site and separation area, operators said at least 100 people go there on a daily basis to mine different minerals, such as monoxide, zaicon and other precious stones for transaction with other business communities as source of income.

Efforts to get reaction of the concerned authorities was abortive as no official at both the Federal and Bauchi State Ministry of Mines was ready to comment on the tragedy as of the time of filling this report.

The devastating incident was not the first of its kind where local miners who are mostly women and children will be losing their lives in a mining site in Bauchi state.

Recall that in 2023 a mining site in Bar kudu in Bogoro local government claimed lives of three women with other injured.

Mathias Mamaki and his Mother are the two survivors of the tragedy alongside Musa who is also  at the mining site, gave account of what happened in this mining site in Rafin Tambari in Bauchi state.

Musa said that high level of poverty is one of the major reasons that is pushing hundreds of people to troop at the mining site digging monoxide to earn a living.

In one of the houses of a victim who died during the incident, her husband Iliya Gambar described the shocking story of his wife as most devastating to him coming at a time that was least expected.

“This is a sad moment for the families of the deceased who are thrown into mourning, to many, this will serve as a reminder of the dangers that come with working on local illegal mining site. Authorities have been advised to provide measures that will however curtail such incidences” he said

Meanwhile, residents of the community have appealed to the federal and state governments to provide them with alternative sources of livelihoods as unregulated mining activities have led to loss of lives while others have various degree of injuries in the mining site 800 meters away from the community.