Nine miners die as heavy downpour floods mining pit in Bauchi

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.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed this in a post on X, saying the incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. on September 26, 2026, while contracted miners were working at Pit 3 of the mining site.

The heavy rainfall flooded the pit and trapped several workers underground.

According to the Bauchi State Police Command, one of the miners, identified only as Abner, was reportedly electrocuted during the incident.

He was rescued and rushed to General Hospital Kashere in neighbouring Gombe State, where a medical doctor pronounced him dead.

Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Alkaleri, led a team to the mining site to assist in rescuing the trapped workers.

The mining company also deployed three water pumps to evacuate water from the pit and provide access to the miners.

“After concerted rescue efforts by the police and local vigilantes, eight additional victims were recovered at about 11:20 a.m. on September 27.

“They were all pronounced dead by medical doctors at General Hospital Kashere,” Makama said.

The deceased were identified as Hamidu Ali, 40, of Nasarawa State; Saidu Abubakar, 29, of Nasarawa State; Olije Abdulrazak, 25, of Kogi State; Musa Abdullahi, 29, of Bauchi State; Abdulrahman Muazu, 23, of Bauchi State; Jafar Abbas, 24, of Bauchi State; Jose Ukese, 28, of Nasarawa State; and Haruna Alkali, 30, of Kebbi State.

The police said post-mortem examinations were conducted before the remains were released to their relatives for burial in accordance with their respective religious rites.

The command said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Preliminary findings indicated that the mining company was duly registered and licensed.

However, further investigation is expected to determine whether appropriate safety measures were in place when the pit was flooded.