No fewer than 25 people have been confirmed dead following the mining explosion in Sabon Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, with fears of more casualties as rescue efforts continue.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning, barely a week after a tanker carrying fuel exploded along the Dikko-Maje-Minna road..
In addition to the fatalities, numerous people sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals in New Bussa for urgent treatment. Many villagers, including women and children, remain unaccounted for, as search teams comb through the rubble for survivors or additional bodies.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the blast originated from explosives improperly stored in a shop close to the mining site. A local man, identified only as Yushau from New Bussa, is suspected of storing these explosives in his uncle’s house, which also served as a shop. The powerful blast occurred as miners were resuming work for the day.
Ahmed, a resident of the area, shared his fears, telling VANGUARD, “The explosion occurred when the miners were just resuming work in the morning. For now, the villagers are afraid to go close to the area for fear of what could happen next because we are suspecting that more explosives could detonate at the site.”
Illegal mining activities have reportedly been rampant in the region, with mining companies frequently using explosives. According to local sources, poor handling of these materials likely triggered the explosion.
Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the explosion was caused by dynamites stored in a residential building.
“The explosion led to the unfortunate death of one Fatima Sadauki, while six others were injured and taken to General Hospital Kainji, New Bussa, for medical attention. The incident affected about twelve houses in the area,” he said.
Authorities are actively investigating the tragedy. The Niger State Police Commissioner, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, has directed officers to locate the suspect, Yushau, who is currently on the run. Meanwhile, the military has cordoned off the site to prevent further danger, as villagers remain fearful of additional detonations.
