The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has taken swift action in response to a tragic explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area, Niger State. Officials from the Federal Mines Office in the state have been deployed to the site to conduct an on-the-spot assessment.
The explosion, which occurred early Sunday morning, has been linked to the illegal stockpiling of explosives by Yushua Maikampala, a resident of New Bussa. Preliminary findings suggest that the explosives, stored in a residential building, were ignited by an electrical spark at around 7:00 AM. The blast resulted in the destruction of the building, significant damage to approximately 20 other houses, and at least two confirmed fatalities.
In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Segun Tomori, Dr. Alake described the incident as “avoidable” and expressed his condolences to the affected families. He attributed the tragedy to negligence in the handling and unauthorized storage of explosives, vowing to ensure accountability.
Minister’s Directives and Government Actions
The Minister has instructed the Mines Inspectorate Department to conduct a forensic analysis of soil samples from the site to trace the origin of the explosives. He emphasized that this would inform subsequent actions.
“Security agencies have been put on the trail of the suspected culprit. He will be apprehended to face justice,” Dr. Alake stated.
He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to enforcing stringent environmental and safety standards in the mining sector to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Eyewitness Accounts and Community Impact
Residents of Sabon Pegi described the explosion as devastating, with the aftermath leaving the community in shock. The blast site and surrounding area have been marked by widespread destruction, with debris scattered across the neighborhood.
The federal government has reiterated the importance of adhering to safety regulations, particularly concerning the handling of explosives, to avoid further loss of lives and property.
Ongoing Investigations
As investigations continue, the government has vowed to hold all responsible parties accountable. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols in the mining and explosives sectors.
