IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Two persons have lost their lives after a portion of the structure suddenly caved in at Ika-Ogboyaga mining site, Ankpa local government area of Kogi State.
Attah and Amodu have been buried according to Islamic rites after locals rushed to the site and removed their bodies from the rubble.
Nkom Samson Katung, the Deputy Corps Commandant and Head of Solid Minerals of the state command said the operatives of the command have commenced investigations to ascertain the owner of the collapsed site.
He further explained that the divisional officers of the command had been directed to link up with the traditional ruler of the community to suspend further illegal mining activities in the area.
In the same vein, the state government has also directed the total stoppage of illegal mining in the state.
Bashiru Gegu, the Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, stated that all legal operators should henceforth register with the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources to enhance orderliness and criminal-free sites.
The government observed that the activities of some unknown operators in mining sites had become worrisome, believing that failure to adhere to the directives of registration would make the government clamp down on erring mining operators and sites in the state.
Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), however, confirmed the incident of the death of the two young men, saying that it happened around 4.20pm on Saturday