By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Two people were said to have lost their lives at Ika- Ogboyaga Illegal Mining Site in Ankpa Local Governnent Area of kogi state.
The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, kogi state Command, Mr.J k Oyinloye, made the disclosure on Monday in Lokoja in a statement signed by by DCC. NKOM Samson Katung, Head of Solid Minerals of the Command and a copy available to The Reporters.
Oyinloye,who further disclose that the two deceased: Amodu and Attah. met their death on Saturday at 4.20 p.m when the mining site collapse on them while at the site, added that their remains had been buried according to Islamic rites.
He said the command had commenced investigation into the tragedy to ascertain the ownership of the site.
Oyinloye added that he had directed the Divisional Officer of NSCDC to liase with the traditional ruler of the community not to allow further illegal mining activity in the area,for now,until the conclusion of investigation.
Meanwhile, the state government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural resources,
has ordered total stoppage of Illegal Mining at the site.
The Commissioner in charge of the Ministry,Engr. Bashiru Gegu, in a statement said that all legal operators should henceforth register with Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural resources to enhance peace and ensure that the site is devoid of criminal activity.
He expressed the worry of the state government over the activities of some unknown operators in mining sites in state, stressing that the registration would ascertain genuine miners and check criminal activity at the site.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
