Nigeria, Sept. 23 -- Four persons have died after a sand excavation pit collapsed at Tangur community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, according to security analyst Zagazola Makama.

Mr Makama said troops responded to a report of a sand excavation pit collapse involving suspected illegal miners along a river line in the community.

"Troops confirmed that four persons died in the incident," he said.

The deceased were identified as Fahad Aliyu and three women whose identities had not been established at the time of filing this report.

Their bodies were subsequently recovered by relatives for burial.

During preliminary inquiries, the troops engaged the community leader...