Federal Government Orders Investigation into Niger Mining Explosion

 

The federal government has launched a full investigation into a deadly explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area of Niger State, which occurred on Sunday. The government has vowed that those responsible will face justice.

Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, revealed the government’s action in a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. He confirmed that officials from the Federal Mines Office have already been deployed to the site for an immediate assessment.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion was linked to the illegal stockpiling of explosives by Yushua Maikampala, a resident of New Bussa. Maikampala is suspected of purchasing and storing explosives and related materials in a house in Sabon Pegi.

Eyewitnesses report that the explosion was triggered by an electrical spark around 7 a.m. on Sunday, destroying the building where the explosives were stored and causing damage to approximately 20 other homes in the area. At least two people have been confirmed dead as a result of the explosion.

Minister Alake described the tragedy as preventable, citing negligence in the illegal storage of explosives as a key factor. In response, he has directed ministry officials, including the Mines Inspectorate Department, to conduct forensic analysis of soil samples taken from the site to trace the source of the explosives and guide further action.

“Security agencies are actively pursuing the suspected individual, and he will be apprehended to face justice,” Alake assured.

This incident recalls a similar explosion last year in Ibadan, Oyo State, caused by explosives stored by illegal miners. That blast killed two people and injured 77 others, damaging several neighborhoods and causing widespread panic. Following that explosion, the federal government also initiated a forensic investigation that led to the prosecution of three individuals.