No fewer than fourteen people are still trapped under the collapsed mine site in Galkogo village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State while 16 others have been rescued alive.
Niger State Ministry of Mining Resources, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and the Niger State Police Command have officially confirmed these figures.
Also on Wednesday, the state Ministry of Mineral Resources released the names of those who were trapped inside the mine.
They include, Abdullahi Yahaya, Ibrahim Mansir, Abubakar Isah, Friday Musa, Godwin Hussaini, Benjamin Ashafa, Zayyanu Ibrahim, Abdul Ali, Hamza Musa, Umar Abubakar, Joseph Madaki, Ibrahim I. Ishiaku Kuta, Abbas Musa and Yakubu Mamman.
Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Mineral Resources, Alhaji Yunusa Mohammed Nahauni, said that the Ministry is working with relevant authorities and rescue teams to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining trapped individuals.
He assured that updates will be provided as the situation unfolds.
Niger State Police Command said that the rescue operation was delayed due to a lack of equipment from the site and the heavy rubles from the rock.
He added that more equipment has been brought to aid the rescue operation.
Police spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun said that six persons were rescued, adding that 20 people were initially trapped inside the mine pit.
The state Ministry of Environment and the State Commissioner of Police said that the state government is not happy with the incident, especially as the government has banned mining activities across the state.
It was learnt that 14 people are still trapped under the pit.
Meanwhile, the community has expressed fear over the survival of the trapped persons.
An unconfirmed report stated that water has started coming out of the mine pit.
As of the time of filing this report, there is no record of death apart from the one recorded on the day the mine site collapsed.
Also, no other persons have been rescued since then.
