Barely three days after 37 artisanal miners arrested at a mining site in Minna died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), residents of M.I. Wushishi Estate are once again living with fresh fears as miners have returned to the same site.

The sight of teenagers, women and adult miners reportedly digging for gold at the location has stirred concern among residents, who fear that the tragedy could be repeated if illegal mining activities are allowed to continue unchecked.

For residents of the estate, the return to the mining site is particularly troubling because it is the same location where the 37 miners were arrested before they were taken into NSCDC custody and later confirmed dead.

A resident, Yahaya Isah, who spoke to journalists in Minna on Sunday, September 20, described the development as a serious threat to the safety of the community and its residents.

Isah appealed to the Niger State Government and relevant security and regulatory agencies to urgently enforce the ban on illegal mining in the state, saying stronger action was needed to prevent further loss of lives and protect property.

He also urged youths and women to stay away from illegal mining and seek safer and more productive means of livelihood that would benefit them and their families.

According to Isah, underage persons, adults and women were seen engaging in gold mining at the site despite the recent tragedy .