Two days after a vehicle plunged into a water-filled mining pit along the Abakaliki/Ikwo Expressway, in the Enyigba-Izzi community, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, a crew has recovered the vehicle and the bodies of at least three of the victims.
A crane belonging to the Ebonyi State Ministry of Infrastructure for Concession pulled the white Volkswagen Gulf car to the surface around 10:30 am Monday.
This came after several hours of toiling by local divers to retrieve the vehicle proved abortive.
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After it was recovered, Governor Dave Umahi, who was directly involved during the operation, confirmed the bodies of the victims inside the vehicle.
The victims included Ogochukwu Elem, an All Progressives Congress, APC State Youth Leader, and two other unnamed mobile policemen.
Their bodies were taken away by security operatives to an undisclosed mortuary.
Governor Umahi, who described the accident as mysterious, vows to go tough on miners in the state who continue to flout government orders on safe mining activities.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)