At least nine miners have died following the flooding of 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 Sept. 26, 2026, when contracted miners were working at Pit 3 and a heavy downpour caused the pit to become flooded, trapping several workers underground.

According to the Bauchi State Police Command, one of the miners, identified only as Abner, was reportedly electrocuted and subsequently rescued and rushed to General Hospital Kashere in neighbouring Gombe State, where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Alkaleri, subsequently led a team to the mining site to assist in rescuing the trapped miners.

The company deployed three water pumps to evacuate water from the pit and facilitate access to the trapped workers.

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

They were all pronounced dead by medical doctors at General Hospital Kashere.

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, although further investigations are expected to determine whether appropriate safety measures were in place at the time of the incident. (Zagazola)