Mining Pit Collapse in Ebonyi State Claims Three Lives, Injures Four Others
A devastating mining pit collapse in Ebonyi State has resulted in three fatalities and left four individuals with injuries, according to reports from local authorities and community leaders. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in the Enyim Agalegu community within Ikwo Local Government Area.
Community Response and Rescue Efforts
The National Chairman of the Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke Federated Union, Oboke Chukwuma Collins, confirmed receiving a distress call around 4 p.m. on Saturday and immediately mobilizing community members for rescue operations. "We evacuated overburden from three lifeless bodies and rescued four injured victims," Collins stated, lamenting that this latest tragedy brings the total number of deaths at the site in recent times to five.
Collins revealed that the community had previously requested that both the mining company and the Ebonyi State Ministry of Solid Minerals release part of the pit for controlled local mining following completion of work at the main site. The pit is reportedly under the mining lease of First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt.
Official Statements and Safety Concerns
Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyia, attributed recurring accidents in mining communities to illegal mining activities and greed. "The Ebonyi government was unaware that the site had been abandoned," Onyia emphasized, urging all stakeholders to prioritize human lives over monetary gain.
According to the commissioner, company officials had previously warned the community about the dangerous condition of the pit. Onyia clarified that the ministry cannot authorize local access to leased mining sites, highlighting regulatory challenges in the sector.
Aftermath and Medical Response
The lawmaker representing Ikwo North Constituency, Ifeanyi Nwakpu, confirmed that the deceased victims were taken to a mortuary, while the four injured individuals are receiving hospital treatment. The incident has reignited concerns about mining safety across Nigeria, particularly following similar tragedies in other states.
Broader Context of Mining Accidents in Nigeria
This tragedy in Ebonyi State occurs against a backdrop of frequent mining accidents across Nigeria:
- In Zamfara State, at least 13 miners were confirmed dead in Kadauri after a mining pit collapse left many trapped underground, with survivors describing narrow escapes
- The Zamfara Miners Association confirmed the tragedy as concerns mount over artisanal mining dangers
- In Niger State, at least 30 individuals were feared dead after a mining pit collapsed in Galkogo village within Shiroro local government area in June 2024
- One fatality was confirmed in that incident, with six individuals rescued and receiving treatment
These repeated incidents have sparked calls for improved safety regulations, better enforcement of mining laws, and greater community involvement in mining operations. Community leaders and officials alike are emphasizing the need for safer mining practices to prevent further loss of life in Nigeria's mining sector.
