At least nine miners have died after heavy rainfall flooded a mining pit at Zurfi Mining Company in Nahuta village, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed this on X, saying the incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. on September 26, while contracted miners were working at Pit 3 of the site.
According to the Bauchi State Police Command, one of the miners, identified only as Abner, was electrocuted during the incident. He was rescued and rushed to General Hospital Kashere in Gombe State, where he was confirmed dead.
The Divisional Police Officer, Alkaleri, led a team to the site to assist in rescuing trapped workers, while the mining company deployed three water pumps to evacuate water from the pit.
“After concerted rescue efforts by the police and local vigilantes, eight additional victims were recovered at about 11:20 a.m. on September 27. They were all pronounced dead by medical doctors at General Hospital Kashere,” Makama said.
The deceased were identified as Hamidu Ali, 40, of Nasarawa State; Saidu Abubakar, 29, of Nasarawa State; Olije Abdulrazak, 25, of Kogi State; Musa Abdullahi, 29, of Bauchi State; Abdulrahman Muazu, 23, of Bauchi State; Jafar Abbas, 24, of Bauchi State; Jose Ukese, 28, of Nasarawa State; and Haruna Alkali, 30, of Kebbi State.
Police said post-mortem examinations were conducted before the remains were released to relatives for burial.
The command said investigation is ongoing to establish circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that preliminary findings indicated the company was duly registered and licensed.
