**New Mining Tragedy Recorded in Nigeria’s Buffa Zone**
A new mining tragedy has once again beset the mining community in Nigeria. This time, the tragic incident occurred in the Buffa Zone, located in the Gashaka-Gumti National Park. The miners, mostly from Jamtare town in Gashaka Local Government Area, were panning for gold when they were trapped in an underground mine.
According to Adamu Jamtare, a local miner, the 22 miners trapped in the mine are presumed dead, leaving a devastated and grieving community behind. The local area chairman, Suleiman Toungo, confirmed the deaths of the miners, saying five bodies had already been discovered.
The disaster occurred almost a month ago, but the exact number of miners still buried remains unclear. It is important to note that despite patrols by rangers, the mining site remains a hotbed for illegal mining, especially at night.
The area is rich in mineral resources, but the lack of regulation in the mining sector has led to many fatal accidents. Last year, an anonymous resident of Tila village reported that about 70 miners lost their lives in similar incidents, most of which were never reported.
Local authorities are trying to address the crisis. Adamawa police spokesperson, Commissioner Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed that two separate mine shaft collapses resulted in loss of life, with two miners confirmed dead and four others injured.
This tragic event once again highlights the urgency to regulate and closely monitor mining activity in the country to prevent such tragedies. Losses in mining should not be seen as inevitable, but rather as painful reminders of the need for strict regulation to protect workers’ lives.
This terrible news reminds us all that behind the shine of gold and minerals often lie stories of suffering and tragedy. It is everyone’s responsibility to work towards a safer and more regulated mining sector, where miners’ lives are prioritised above profits and personal interests.