Two people have died and three others critically injured after a mining pit collapsed at the Ajirija lead site in Ihietutu Community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, over the weekend. The site, owned by Henry Ahanaotu but sublet to local operators, was reportedly being managed by Mrs. Lovelyn Victor.
Residents said the incident was not the first, recalling a similar collapse earlier this year that claimed lives without sanctions on the operators. Ahanaotu described the tragedy as unfortunate but argued that pit collapses were common in mining and defended Victor as an experienced operator.
Police confirmed the deaths, noting five people were involved in the incident. Meanwhile, the Federation of Women Miners, through its chairperson Sylvia Ogbuinya, expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
