Fifteen miners killed in Nigeria landslide

LAGOS, Nigeria (Reuters) -- At least 15 illegal miners were buried alive in a landslide in Nigeria's southwestern state of Oshun, newspapers reported on Wednesday.

The accident happened on Tuesday in Atakumoso local government of the state, which lies north of the commercial capital Lagos, local council chairman Joshua Ogunleye was quoted as saying.

It was not clear what the victims were digging for, but the southwestern region holds reserves of gemstones which attract hordes of illegal miners.

The reports offered no explanation as to what could have caused a landslide in the dry season, with rains having ceased across Nigeria for some weeks.

"The activities of the illegal miners have devastated our environment," This Day quoted Ogunleye as telling reporters.

He called on the mines ministry to send security forces to the area to prevent further deaths and end illegal mining, the paper said.

Police in the remote region could not be reached for comment.

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