At least 22 miners are feared dead after a mining pit collapsed at an illegal site in the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, which spans Gashaka LGA in Taraba State and Toungo LGA in Adamawa State. The miners were searching for gold in a restricted area known as Buffa.

Local sources report that all 22 miners are presumed dead. Toungo LGA Chairman Suleiman Toungo confirmed five bodies have been recovered, though he couldn’t specify the total number still buried. The area, despite frequent ranger patrols, is known for continued unregulated mining activities, often carried out at night.

Adamawa Police spokesperson SP Suleiman Nguroje noted recent fatalities from pit collapses, adding that police are working with park authorities to address the illegal mining.

In a statement following the 2024 Presidential Election, President Joe Biden and former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the American people, acknowledging the outcome of the election and offering their congratulations to President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance.

The two leaders expressed their respect for the democratic process and emphasized the importance of accepting the peaceful transfer of power, even when the results are not what one hoped for.

Biden reiterated that democracy is about more than winning elections; it’s about respecting the will of the people and maintaining the core values that have long been the foundation of the United States.

Biden also took a moment to express his pride in Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, both of whom ran on the Democratic ticket.

He lauded them as “extraordinary public servants” who conducted a “remarkable campaign.”

Harris, who made history as the first woman and first woman of color to serve as vice president, continues to be a powerful figure in American politics.

Walz, a former teacher and veteran, has led Minnesota with a focus on education and healthcare reform.

The statement defined the challenges that the country has faced in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic strains that followed.

Biden pointed out the rising prices, many of which were a result of the pandemic, and the frustration felt by many Americans who have worked hard but continue to struggle with basic living costs.

These hardships, he noted, have created significant headwinds for Democratic leaders, not just in the United States but globally.

However, Biden offered a hopeful message, suggesting that the problems facing America are solvable.

He urged the country to listen to one another and return to the foundational principles of the Constitution and democratic norms that have helped build the nation.

He called for a focus on unity, emphasizing that while Americans may not always agree on everything, the path forward requires good faith and understanding, even in the face of deep disagreement.

In closing, Biden reflected on the journey of progress, reminding Americans that building a fairer, more just society is an ongoing effort.

Despite the setback of the election, they reiterated their commitment to working for a more equal, free, and prosperous country.

Both leaders expressed their gratitude to the staff and volunteers who supported their campaign, acknowledging the hard work of those who believe in public service and the values they fought for.

A Federal High Court in Kano has ordered the remand of Sadiq Zubairu, 35, charged with the abduction and murder of his friend, Bello Bukar, a Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) employee.

Zubairu allegedly conspired with others to kill Bello after failing to repay an N3 million loan taken to help secure him a job at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The suspect reportedly admitted to taking Bello’s phone and hiding his vehicle, valued at N12 million.

Bello was reported missing by his family on May 5, and his body was later discovered in Kumbotso. Justice Yusuf Ubale Muhammad has adjourned the case to January 23, 2025.