By Dare Akogun
The death of 22 miners following a mining pit collapse in Taraba State has drawn intense criticism from environmental advocates, with Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of the Renevelyn Development Initiative (RDI), describing the tragedy as “one incident too many.”
The incident occurred in a mineral-rich game reserve spanning Gashaka and Toungo local government areas in Taraba and Adamawa states.
Known for repeated mining-related fatalities, the area has become a flashpoint for illegal mining, raising urgent calls for stricter government oversight.
Jakpor, reacting to the disaster, cited previous mining tragedies, including one in Shiroro, Niger State, as evidence of what he called “virtually nonexistent” oversight in mining communities.
He pointed to foreign nationals, particularly Chinese operators, whom he alleged often collaborate with locals in unregulated mining activities, endangering the lives of vulnerable Nigerian workers.
“We have said time and again that proper oversight in communities where solid minerals are extracted is practically nil.
“Unregulated mining by foreign nationals and local collaborators is costing the lives of young Nigerians. This is unacceptable,” he said.
He called on the government to launch an investigation into the incident and hold those responsible for illegal mining activities accountable.
Confirming the incident, Adamawa Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, reported two recent fatal pit collapses in the region.
One incident claimed the lives of four miners, while another involved six miners, with two confirmed dead and four sustaining injuries. Nguroje added that police are working with Gumti National Park authorities to track down those involved in the illegal operations.
This latest tragedy adds to the growing death toll linked to unregulated mining across Nigeria, particularly in protected game reserves where miners face dangerous conditions without proper monitoring.
Environmental advocates warn that the human toll is a consequence of weak regulation, urging the government to enact meaningful reform and take immediate action to curb illegal mining.
