Four people suspected to have been involved in illegal mining have died after a sand excavation pit collapsed in Tangur community, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The Sun, citing counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, reported that the collapse occurred around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday after troops of Sector 5, Operation Enduring Peace, responded to information about a mining pit collapse along a river line in the community.

The troops reportedly inspected the site and found four victims dead. One of them was identified as Mallam Fahad Aliyu, while the identities of the three women who died in the incident had yet to be established.

The victims’ relatives later recovered the bodies for burial, while troops commenced preliminary inquiries into the incident. The community leader reportedly told the security personnel that he was unaware of any illegal mining activities at the location.

According to Zagazola Makama, further investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the collapse and establish the extent of mining activities at the site.