Deborah Akinyosoye
The Federal Government has cautioned individuals against storing explosive devices in their homes for illegal mining activities, emphasising the grave risks such practices pose to lives and property.
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, where a dynamite explosion on Monday claimed lives and caused widespread destruction.
This was detailed in a statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant (Media), Rabiu Ibrahim.
Accompanying the Minister on the visit were 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 top-ranking officials.
Idris stressed the urgent need to halt the dangerous practice of storing explosives, revealing that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to reorganize the sector to curb illegalities.
“These tragedies are man-made, and we cannot allow them to continue. The President has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify campaigns and advocacy efforts, particularly targeting those engaged in illegal mining,” he stated.
The minister further highlighted the recent surge in mining-related disasters across Nigeria, reiterating that the government will take decisive action to prevent future occurrences.
“This is happening too often, and the President is deeply saddened. He has mandated the NOA to ramp up its public awareness campaigns, especially in rural communities, to avert a recurrence,” Idris added.
Commending the Niger State Government’s swift response, Idris also 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 victims of the explosion.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, had earlier disclosed that the deadly explosion was caused by the illegal stockpiling of explosives by a resident, Yushua Maikampala.