Kogi: Two die in Ika-Ogboyaga Illegal mining site

Government orders stoppage of illegal mining
Kogi State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), yesterday, confirmed the death of two young men at a mining site, which collapsed at Ika Ogboyaga of Ankpa Local Council of the state.
    
In a statement signed by the Corps’ head of solid minerals, Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC), Nkom Samson Katung, on behalf of the Commandant, Oyinloye JK, gave the names of the victims as Amodu and Attah.
   
He said the incident happened on Saturday, August 27, at about 1620hrs, while the deceased person’s corpses had been dug out and buried according to Islamic rites.
  

The NSCDC boss said investigation is on to ascertain the owner of the site, while he has directed the divisional official of NSCDC to liaise with the traditional ruler not to allow further illegal activities in that community for until investigation is completed.
   
MEANWHILE, the Kogi State government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural resources has directed total stoppage of illegal mining in the state.
        
According to the statement signed by the Kogi State Commissioner For Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Bashiru Gegu,  all legal operators should henceforth register with the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources to enhance peace and crime free sites.
    
Expressing worries over activities of unknown operators in mining sites, the government advised them to register with the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural resources to ascertain genuine miners.

The state said it will close down erring mining operators and sites, who failed to adhere to the directive.