Gov Otu orders probe into death of 2 youths at mining site

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has ordered an investigation into the death of two young men who died while digging for a precious natural stone called tourmaline.

Five young men fell into the deep well where they were digging for the mineral, but two suffocated and died.

The incident happened a few days ago at Shikpeshe, PHC, along Buya Road in Obanliku Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement signed by the state’s Director of Information, David Akate, “The governor has promised that a comprehensive investigation will be launched to ascertain the legality of the mining activity as well as the real cause of the death of the youths.”

Investigations in the community revealed that the mining was not authorised by the government.

Sources also said some unknown persons who discovered the mineral had engaged the youths of the community to exploit it on their behalf.

They added that the youths had been digging for the mineral for four months.

The sources confirmed that three of the survivors were hospitalised.