Families of trapped Niger miners threaten lawsuit over compensation

Over two months after a tragic mining pit collapse in Shiroro, Niger State, left an estimated 50 miners buried alive, the families and relatives of the victims are threatening legal action against the pit’s owners and the state government over lack of compensation.

The number of victims has been disputed, with authorities initially reporting 14 miners buried, while other stakeholders claim over 50 were affected.

Efforts to recover the bodies from the pit, estimated to be over 400 square meters deep, have been largely unsuccessful, with only partial remains being retrieved.

Suleiman Isah, a relative of one of the deceased miners, told newsmen that out of the 14 miners reportedly trapped, nine bodies had been recovered and buried, while the remains of five others, including the chief security officer, were still missing.

Isah expressed frustration over the lack of communication and action from both the company and the state government.

“This accident affected one of my brothers. We have not heard anything from either the company or the state government.

“It has been two months since the incident, and we still expect compensation,” Isah said.

He added that while there were rumors of possible compensation, the families were prepared to take legal action if no concrete steps were taken.

Families of the victims have criticized both the state and federal governments, as well as the mining company, for their inadequate response to the disaster.

They accused the authorities of relying on outdated tools and manual labour instead of utilizing more sophisticated machinery, potentially preventing the rescue of the trapped miners.

Abdusalami Kuta, another family member, voiced his disappointment with the government’s handling of the situation.

According to Kuta, his younger brother, Isiayku Kuta, is among those still trapped under the collapsed rock.

“This government has not been fair to us. We have been praying and hoping for a rescue, but now we believe they will never be found again,” he lamented.

Kuta stressed the importance of giving the victims a proper burial and called for the mining company to compensate the affected families, urging the government to ensure this happens.