Six Bury Alive as Mining Pit Collapses In Jos

Six persons died as a mining pit collapsed on Tuesday, at Zawan Community, in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Mr. Gwottson Fom, member representing Jos South Constituency in the State House of Assembly confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.
Fom said that the ages of the victims ranged from 20 to 27, describing the incident as “sad and unfortunate.”
A NAN correspondent, who visited the area reports that many others sustained injury in the incident.
The lawmaker noted that the victims died engaging in illegal activity.
“We know that these young persons died carrying out an illegal activity but it is obvious unemployment led them into doing it.
“People go out of their way to do things considered illegal just to fend for themselves and their families.
“This is not time to apportion blames but it is sad and unfortunate that a community will lose six youths in a day,” he said.
Fom called on illegal miners to desist from the act and engage in other acceptable ventures.
“If people must engage in mining activities, they should do it the right way. They must ensure they are licensed to do it,’’ he advised.
Earlier, Mr Emmanuel Gyang, an eye witness and Youth Leader in the community told NAN that the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon.