Nigeria Roundup: Mining pit deaths, kidnappings, accidental bombings
Small-scale miners feared dead after mine pit collapse
Three miners are feared dead, with 11 others injured in a mining pit collapse incident in Dan Kamfani, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara situated in the town of Anka in Nigeria. According to local news outlet Channels Television, an eyewitness report confirmed that the incident occurred around 4 pm on Thursday. The pit which is said to be 275 metres deep serves as a mining source for some small-scale miners in the area. Although the number of casualties is yet to be ascertained, eyewitness accounts indicate that the deceased are all from the Yar Tsabaya district in Anka LGA.
Arrests over cable theft
Four persons have been arrested by the Nigeria and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command for allegedly engaging in the vandalization of armoured cables and electrical installations around the Awka metropolis, the capital city of the state. In a statement, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Okadigbo Edwin said the arrests follow a tip-off from a concerned citizen who saw the suspects engaging in the theft incident. Chukwu, a male aged 37, of Ntezi Ebonyi State, Okwudiri Nnaji (male) aged 29 of Idodo Nkanu East Enugu State, Agu Ikechukwu (male) aged 20 from Ehamufu Isiuzo LGA Enugu State, and Chinecherem Idoho (male) from Uboloafor Udenu LGA Enugu State were named as the suspects, according to Nigerian press, Punch.
Accidental bombings aftermath
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Dr. Bello Matawalle has condemned a recent accidental bombing incident by the Nigerian Army in Agabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State in Northern Nigeria. The Minister described as unfortunate the incident which occurred last week while pledging the ministry’s commitment to fighting terrorism in the country. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the minister made these comments during a high-delegation visit to victims of the incident alongside Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Kana.
Release of kidnapped NYSC members
Two abducted members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been released following their kidnapping in Zamfara on their way to an orientation camp in Sokoto. The incident happened in August 2023 when eight prospective corp members who were going for the one-year national service were abducted on their way from Uyo, Akwa Ibom. Their families were asked by the kidnappers to send ransom in exchange for their relatives. The said abductees spent about 106 days in captivity because their parents could not raise the requested monies on time, Nigerian news outlet Premium Times reported. Four others are yet to be released.
Caution over religious disunity
Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kadiri Obafemi Hamza has called for national unity and cohesion among citizens towards the development of Nigeria. As keynote speaker at the 8th General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), iterated the importance of religious unity, while urging the country to redefine its politics with emphasis on merit and competence instead of region and religion. Nigeria’s The Guardian also noted that Hamza urged Nigerians to avoid ethnic and tribal tactics adopted by politicians for their selfish interests.
