The Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has received with great shock yet another explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi in Mashegu Local Government Area barely two weeks after the horrific tanker explosion in Dikko.
It is sad to note that the devastating explosion which killed three innocent people, injured scores, completely destroyed fourteen houses, partially destroyed 7 houses would have been averted if not for the negligence, non challants attitude and adherence/non compliance to safer mining regulations. It is painful and totally unacceptable for anyone to store explosives anywhere and especially in a large residential area for the purpose of mining or for any other reason(s).
The Ministry vehemently against all forms of illegal mining and will continue to partner with all relevant stakeholders to avert future occurrence by thoroughly sensitizing, educating and availing awareness to various mining host communities to observe, speak and report to security agencies, traditional leaders and officials of disaster management on the storage of such explosives or any other harmful object(s) that will bring about lost of lives and properties of the people.
The Ministry is determined to liaise with the police and other security agencies to arrest, investigate and arraign the person(s) who stored the explosives and move a step further to work with the Federal Mines Officer of the Federal Ministry of Mining/Steel Development, the state’s Ministry of Solid Mineral, Miners Association of Nigeria, Mine Workers Union, Federation of Nigeria Mining Host Communities, Civil Society Organizations, NGO’s among others to permanently nip in the bud the storage of such objects in our mining areas.
The Executive Governor of Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago concerned about this unfortunate, pathetic and sad incidence is expected to visit Sabon Pegi (the affected community) on Wednesday the 29th January, 2025 to commiserate/interface with the people, get first hand information and act further aside from action of the treatment of the injured people which the government is already footing the bills
The Honourable Commissioner Ahmed Baba Suleiman Yumu, his Permanent Secretary and Staff of the Ministry wholeheartedly console the families of the deceased over the deaths/injury of their loved ones/lost of properties while praying for obviation of such disaster in its totality.
