Federal Gov’t Warns Against Storage of Explosives for Illegal Mining

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning against the storage of explosives for illegal mining activities following a deadly dynamite explosion in Sabon Pegi, Niger State, that led to multiple fatalities and significant property damage.

During a condolence visit to the community on Wednesday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted the grave dangers posed by the illegal storage and use of explosive devices for mining. The visit was made in the company of Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, former Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, and the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji.

Idris revealed that President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to overhaul the mining sector to tackle the issue of illegal mining and prevent further tragedies. He emphasized that the government was committed to curbing such dangerous activities and called for immediate cessation of the practice.

“The President has instructed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to increase advocacy and public awareness campaigns targeting those involved in illegal mining, particularly in rural communities,” Idris said. He noted that the government’s goal was to prevent such incidents from recurring by providing better education on the dangers associated with illegal mining practices.

The Minister also mentioned that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development had initiated efforts to reorganize mining activities nationwide to make the sector safer and more sustainable. Idris expressed hope that the tragic incident in Sabon Pegi would serve as a crucial learning experience for those involved in the illegal mining sector.

Furthermore, President Tinubu has expressed deep concern over the rise in such disasters and directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief assistance to the victims of the Sabon Pegi explosion.

“We must recognise that these tragedies are happening far too often in our country,” Idris added, emphasizing the government’s commitment to preventing further loss of life and damage to property.