A 27-year-old man, Ismail Ahmed, has died after being trapped in an abandoned mining pit while seeking shelter from heavy rainfall in Pangu Village, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday when Ahmed, who was washing clothes by a nearby stream, attempted to escape the sudden downpour by taking refuge in a disused mining pit previously used by illegal gold miners.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who shared details of the incident on social media platform X on Sunday, the loose soil around the pit collapsed due to the rainfall, trapping Ahmed inside.
Family members and local residents quickly responded to the emergency and managed to pull Ahmed out of the collapsed pit. He was immediately rushed to Kwali General Hospital but was unfortunately pronounced dead on arrival.
The family declined an autopsy and opted to bury Ahmed in accordance with Islamic rites.
Following this tragedy, local authorities and community members have issued warnings urging residents to avoid abandoned mining sites and other potentially hazardous locations, especially during the rainy season, to prevent similar incidents.
This incident highlights the dangers posed by abandoned mining pits across Nigeria, particularly during adverse weather conditions. Environmental safety experts have previously called for better regulation and reclamation of abandoned mining sites to prevent such accidents.
The rainy season in Nigeria typically brings increased risks of various accidents, including flooding, building collapses, and landslides, making safety awareness crucial during this period.
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