The incident occurred while artisanal miners were working underground.

Sources from the area told Channels Television that several other victims remain trapped.

Confirming the development, the Executive Secretary of the state Solid Minerals Development Agency, Nasiru Bamanga, said he had received initial reports of the tragedy but was yet to obtain full details.

‘I heard about the incident, and I’m yet to get full details. I will be going there later today and, Insha Allah, I will give you full information when I return’, Bamanga said.