At least five alleged illegal miners have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a mining pit in Mayokam village, located in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Confirming the incident to Channels Television in a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said five miners were dug out of the collapsed pit following efforts by local residents.

He said efforts were ongoing to search the pit further to determine whether more miners were still trapped.

The state task force team had recently dispersed miners from the site, seizing their machines and sending away alleged illegal miners from Zamfara, Bauchi, Sokoto, the Republic of Cameroon, and Chad.

Residents of the area had also protested in the past over the effects of mining activities in their community and called for government intervention.

The state government had banned illegal mining activities across the state through Order 6, insisting that responsible mining remains the way forward for developing its mineral resources. (Channels TV)