At least nine miners have died after a heavy downpour flooded a mining pit at Zurfi Mining Company in Nahuta village, Gwana District of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. on September 26, 2026, while contracted miners were working at Pit 3 of the mining site.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the heavy rainfall caused the pit to flood, trapping several workers underground.
One of the miners, identified as Abner, was reportedly electrocuted during the incident. He was rescued and taken to General Hospital Kashere in neighbouring Gombe State, where a medical doctor pronounced him dead.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in Alkaleri led a team to the mining site to assist in efforts to rescue the trapped workers.
The mining company also deployed three water pumps to evacuate the floodwater and create access to the affected section of the pit.
After several hours of rescue operations involving the police and local vigilantes, eight additional bodies were recovered at about 11:20 a.m. on September 27.
The victims were subsequently taken to General Hospital Kashere, where they were pronounced dead by medical doctors.
Victims identified
The deceased miners were identified as:
- Hamidu Ali, 40, from Nasarawa State
- Saidu Abubakar, 29, from Nasarawa State
- Olije Abdulrazak, 25, from Kogi State
- Musa Abdullahi, 29, from Bauchi State
- Abdulrahman Muazu, 23, from Bauchi State
- Jafar Abbas, 24, from Bauchi State
- Jose Ukese, 28, from Nasarawa State
- Haruna Alkali, 30, from Kebbi State
The police said post-mortem examinations were conducted before the remains were released to their families for burial according to their respective religious rites.
Investigation begins
The Bauchi State Police Command said an investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Preliminary findings indicated that Zurfi Mining Company was registered and licensed. However, further investigation is expected to determine whether appropriate safety measures were in place at the mining site when the heavy rainfall caused the pit to flood.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety conditions at mining sites, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall when open pits and underground workings can become vulnerable to flooding.
The Bauchi tragedy is also coming amid other recent deaths associated with mining activities in Nigeria, increasing calls for closer attention to safety standards and emergency preparedness at mining sites.
