Three killed as mine collapses in Benue

Three people were killed after a mine they were working in collapsed at Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, on Tuesday.

Our correspondent gathered that the deceased were mining lead at a mineral deposits site when the incident occurred.

Witnesses said the deceased died on the spot while it took efforts of community people to rescue the injured.

The witnesses said few others who were injured were immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention.

Contacted, the Logo council chairman, Comrade Terseer Agber, said though he did not know about the activities of miners in his domain, the company, however, came in with their papers (allegedly from federal government) and the chiefs in the area granted them permit to work.

Agber said, “Early in the morning today (Tuesday), I was called and informed that about four people were trapped in a mining pit. So I directed that they should try and do something and later on they came back and reported that they recovered three bodies and one injured.

“I have been calling on series of meetings with them to resolve the matter, but each time the meeting would fail. The state government is aware of their activities in the area.

“Governor Samuel Ortom had sent two Commissioners including that Agriculture; Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, but nothing happened.

“The miners said that they have no dealing with the state government, that they collected their licence from Abuja and it’s the prerogative of the Federal Government, they don’t have any dealing with the Benue state government.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Benue Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, said she was yet to receive any information about the incident.