The Federal Government has cautioned against the storage of explosive devices in residential areas for illegal mining, emphasizing the severe threat such practices pose to lives and property.
Report gathered by YEPS News indicates that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued this warning on Thursday, January 30, 2025, during a condolence visit to Sabon Pegi, Niger State. The visit followed a devastating dynamite explosion on Monday that claimed several lives and caused extensive destruction.
The minister’s Special Assistant (Media), Rabiu Ibrahim, detailed this in an official statement.
Idris was accompanied by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, former Governor and Senator representing Niger North, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, and Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, among other high-ranking officials.
He stressed the urgent need to put an end to the reckless storage of explosives, revealing that President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to reorganize the sector to eliminate illegalities.
“These tragedies are preventable, and we cannot continue to allow them. The President has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify campaigns and advocacy efforts, particularly targeting illegal mining activities,” Idris stated.
YEPS News reports that the minister also expressed concern over the rising cases of mining-related disasters across the country. He assured that the government would take decisive action to prevent future incidents.
“This is happening far too often, and the President is deeply concerned. He has mandated the NOA to scale up its public awareness efforts, especially in rural communities, to prevent similar occurrences,” he added.
Commending the Niger State Government for its swift response, Idris announced that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, alongside the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has been directed to provide immediate relief and support for the explosion victims.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, earlier confirmed that the deadly explosion was caused by the illegal stockpiling of explosives by a resident, Yushua Maikampala.