Teenagers, women and adult workers have returned to a gold mining site in M.I. Wushishi, Niger State, despite the recent deaths of 37 miners in the State.
The miners were seen searching for gold at the site, raising fresh concerns over the safety of mining activities and the continued presence of underage workers in the area.
The development comes shortly after 37 illegal miners reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), putting renewed focus on the dangers surrounding unregulated mining operations in Niger State.
Despite the reported fatalities, mining activities have resumed at the M.I. Wushishi site, with teenagers, women and adults among those working at the location.
The return of miners has heightened concerns over the enforcement of mining regulations and the protection of vulnerable workers, particularly underage persons exposed to hazardous conditions.
The development also raises questions about the effectiveness of measures put in place to prevent illegal mining and protect lives at mining sites across the State.
