By David Odama

LAFIA —Tragedy struck at Unguwar Tandu village, Karu local government area of Nasarawa State following the death of three persons who were excavating and loading sand and were buried alive.

The victims were Dauda Umaru, Abdullahi Ayawa and Zakari Musa while Mohammed Nasir survived.

Narrating the incident, deputy chairman of the Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers, Aminu Sunusi, said three persons lost their lives while one survived and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

“The deceased was excavating sand to load a tipper lorry at the site in Unguwar Tandu a few kilometres to Keffi located in Karu local government when the sand slid and covered them.

“Dead bodies of the victims were later recovered after engaging the services of an excavators.”
Sunusi described the incident as tragic and unfortunate ever in the history of the mining activities in Unguwar Tandu village, adding that the recovered bodies had been buried in line with Islamic rites.

One of the workers and a relative of one of the deceased who escaped the incident expressed shock over the incident.

Mohammed Nasir, survivor and Aruwa Maikasuwa, one of the deceased fathers said they were yet to recover from the tragedy.

On whether a government official has visited the community or the site, an officer of the state fire service told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that no government official has visited the community or the scene of the incident.

Efforts to get the police or the state Ministry of Environment and Solid Mineral Resources for comment on the incident proved abortive at press time.