Tragedy struck in Zamfara State on Thursday, September 25, 2025, after a mining pit collapsed at the Kadauri mining site in Maru Local Government Area, leaving scores dead and several others trapped.

Gossip News Now gathered that the victims, mostly artisanal miners, were working underground when the pit gave way. As of Friday morning, community sources confirmed that at least 13 bodies had been recovered from the rubble, while rescue operations were still ongoing.

Confirming the incident, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Solid Minerals Development Agency, Nasiru Bamanga, said he had received only preliminary reports.
“I heard about the incident, and I’m yet to get full details. I will be going there later today and, Insha Allah, I will give you full information when I return,” Bamanga told reporters.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has ordered the suspension of activities at the Mararrabar Birnin Yauri gold mining site in Ngaski Local Government Area following a violent clash that claimed one life.

The governor, who paid an unscheduled visit to the site on Thursday, said the suspension was necessary to restore peace and prevent further violence. He directed security agencies to take full control of the area until the host communities and the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI) reached a resolution.

Governor Idris expressed concern that Kebbi indigenes were being sidelined in the mining business despite being landowners, while also warning about the influx of foreign nationals from Mali, Tanzania, Chad, and Niger into the state through mining activities.

He further directed the state Ministry of Mining to compile a register of all licensed miners and firms operating in Kebbi to ensure order and transparency in the sector.

As part of peace-building efforts, the governor approved the release of about 50 youths previously remanded over mining-related violence, urging them to embrace dialogue instead of conflict.

“Mining must bring prosperity, not conflict, to our people,” Idris emphasized.