Scores of people were feared dead after a mining pit collapsed at the Kadauri mining site in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Naijaonpoint learnt that the victims, mostly artisanal miners, were working underground when the tragedy struck on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Channels Television said sources in the community revealed that at least 13 bodies had been pulled out of the rubble as of Friday morning, while many others remained trapped in the pit.
Rescue efforts were still ongoing at the site at the time of filing this report.
The Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Solid Minerals Development Agency, Nasiru Bamanga, confirmed the development, noting that he had only received preliminary information.
“I heard about the incident, and I’m yet to get full details. I will be going there later today and, Insha Allah, I will give you full information when I return,” Bamanga told reporters.
Meanwhile, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has ordered the immediate suspension of activities at the Mararrabar Birnin Yauri gold mining site in Ngaski Local Government Area following a violent clash that claimed one life.
The governor, who made an unscheduled visit to the site on Thursday, said the decision was to restore peace and forestall further bloodshed.
Idris directed security operatives to take full control of the area until a lasting resolution could be reached between the host communities and the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI).
He expressed dismay that Kebbi indigenes were being sidelined in the mining business, despite being landowners. The governor also raised alarm over the influx of foreigners from Mali, Tanzania, Chad and Niger into the state through mining activities.
The governor further instructed the state Ministry of Mining to compile a comprehensive register of all licensed miners and firms operating in Kebbi. According to him, this would ensure orderliness and transparency in the sector.
In a peace gesture, Idris approved the release of about 50 youths earlier remanded over mining-related violence.
He appealed to them to embrace peace and dialogue, stressing that his administration would not condone violence in any form.
“Mining must bring prosperity, not conflict, to our people,” the governor said.
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