By Ndujihe Clifford Chiebuka
A devastating mining pit collapse has occurred at an illegal mining site within the Gashaka-Gumti National Park in Nigeria, resulting in the tragic loss of 22 lives. The incident took place in the Buffa zone, which spans across Gashaka Local Government Area in Taraba State and Toungo Local Government Area in Adamawa State.
According to reports, the miners were extracting gold in the area when the pit collapsed [source]. The Chairman of Toungo LGA, Engineer Suleiman Toungo, confirmed that five bodies have been recovered, but the exact number still buried is uncertain.
Gashaka-Gumti National Park is Nigeria’s largest national park, covering an area of 6,731 km2, and is known for its rich biodiversity and natural resources ¹ ². However, the park has faced challenges related to illegal mining and poaching, which threaten the conservation efforts.
The incident highlights the risks associated with illegal mining activities and the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Source: Naijanews
