16 Bodies Of Miners Killed In Taraba Pit Collapse Still Trapped Underground 34 Days Later, Community Laments | Sahara Reporters

The collapse reportedly killed at least 20 miners, but only four bodies have been recovered, leaving the families of the remaining victims waiting for their loved ones to be brought out of the pit.

Sixteen bodies remain trapped underground at the Gidan Best mining site in Mayo-Kam community, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, 34 days after a mining pit collapsed on September 17, 2026, according to community accounts.

The collapse reportedly killed at least 20 miners, but only four bodies have been recovered, leaving the families of the remaining victims waiting for their loved ones to be brought out of the pit.

Community elders, political leaders and youths are demanding urgent action to recover the bodies and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Residents say the prolonged failure to recover the remaining bodies has heightened concern in the community, with calls for the relevant authorities to intervene and address their grievances.

The incident occurred at the Gidan Best mining site in Mayo-Kam, where miners were reportedly caught in a pit collapse on September 17.

According to accounts provided by community members, at least 20 miners died in the incident. However, only four bodies have been recovered, while 16 remain trapped underground.

The community has expressed concern over the delay in recovering the victims, with residents seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding the collapse and the response to the tragedy.

“It’s over 30 days and 16 miners are still trapped. Only four bodies have been recovered so far,” one of the community leaders said.

Community members have also raised concerns about mining activities in the area despite Governor Agbu Kefas’s reported ban on mining in Taraba State.

Residents have called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that allowed mining to continue in the area and into the events leading to the deadly collapse.

The tragedy has also drawn attention to allegations concerning the activities of Hon. Anas Shuaibu Didango, whom community members said handled activities, logistics and security deployments at the mining site.

Didango, however, denied knowledge of illegal mining activities and denied receiving benefits from security personnel.

Separately, Idris Danladi, the governor’s Special Assistant on Marketing, said he obtained video clips relating to alleged activities at the site and reported the matter to Professor Josiah Sabo Kente, the governor’s Special Assistant on Political Matters.

Danladi said Kente subsequently sent people to investigate and that their findings supported the allegations.

The claims concerning activities at the site have not been independently established.

Community elders, political leaders and youths are calling for the authorities to investigate the incident, recover the 16 bodies still trapped underground and address the concerns raised by residents.

They have also warned of possible protests if their demands are not addressed.

More than a month after the collapse, the recovery of the remaining victims remains a major concern for the community, as families continue to await the return of their loved ones.