The recent explosion in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area of Niger State, has been linked to the illegal stockpiling of explosives, according to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
The explosion, which occurred on Sunday morning, claimed at least two lives, destroyed the building where the explosives were stored, and damaged approximately 20 nearby houses. Eyewitness accounts suggest the blast was triggered by an electrical spark around 7:00 AM.
Preliminary investigations conducted by officials from the Federal Mines Office, dispatched by the Minister, revealed that the explosives were illegally purchased and stored by one Yushua Maikampala, a resident of New Bussa.
In a statement released by Segun Tomori, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister, Alake condemned the negligence surrounding the incident and described the tragedy as avoidable.
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The Minister emphasized the importance of adhering to safety regulations and legal protocols in the handling of explosives, warning against illegal storage practices that could endanger lives and property.
Dr. Alake has directed relevant ministry officials, including the Mines Inspectorate Department, to carry out forensic analysis of soil samples collected from the blast site to determine the source of the explosives, which would guide the next course of action.
According to the minister, “Security agencies have been put on the trail of the suspected culprit. He will be apprehended to face justice.”
The federal government remains committed to ensuring that mining operators adhere to strict environmental and safety standards to avert a recurrence of the unfortunate incident.
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