Illegal Mining Tragedy Leaves One Dead, Another Injured At Imvepi Refugee Settlement
Collins Asea speaking about the tragic incident
TEREGO: Police in Terego District are investigating a tragic incident at an illegal mining site in Imvepi Refugee Settlement that left one refugee dead and another injured.
The incident, recorded under CRB 218, occurred on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM along the Ure River in Point J Village, Zone One, Odupi Sub-county.
The deceased, Nema Onyiyo, a 35-year-old South Sudanese refugee of the Keliko tribe from Village 12, Zone One, was killed in the accident.
The surviving victim, Lilious Pasi, also 35 and from the same tribe, resides in Village 2, Zone One.
Preliminary reports indicate that the two women were engaged in unauthorized mining along the riverbank when the incident occurred.
At about 2:00 PM, nearby residents heard distress calls and found Lilious partially buried under loose soil, barely conscious. She informed rescuers that her companion was still trapped.
Police, led by the District Officer in Charge of CID, responded swiftly. Lilious was rescued and taken to Yinga Health Centre III, where she is now stable.
Tragically, Nema Onyiyo was found dead, and her body was transported to Arua Regional Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem.
Authorities are treating the case as a suspected murder linked to hazardous illegal mining practices and have launched a full investigation.
West Nile Police spokesperson SP Collins Asea voiced concerns about the persistence of illegal mining despite repeated warnings.
“The site poses severe environmental and safety risks. Vulnerable women and children are risking their lives due to economic desperation,” he said, noting that food shortages and limited livelihood options drive many refugees to such activities.
Law enforcement is collaborating with local leaders and humanitarian partners to raise awareness and develop sustainable solutions to curb these dangerous practices.