Efforts to rescue some 30 artisanal miners trapped in a collapsed mining pit in Niger state, Nigeria, have been obstructed by threats from armed bandits, said Abdullahi Baba Ara, head of the Niger State Relief Agency on Wednesday.
The miners, working for a local company, were in a large pit in the village of Galkogo, Shiroro district, when it caved in late Sunday, trapping them inside. Shiroro is among several Niger State districts plagued by bandits who raid villages, loot, burn homes, and kidnap residents for ransom.
The exact number of trapped miners remains unclear, and rescue teams face challenges reaching the site due to bandit threats.
The area is known for mining gold, tantalite, and lithium.Rescue operations are also hindered by limited equipment and difficult terrain. Last year, the Niger state government banned mining in Shiroro, Munya, and Rafi districts due to security concerns. However, artisanal miners ignored the ban, continuing to mine for essential income after bandit attacks displaced many from their homes and farms