The Federal Government has warned individuals against storing explosive devices for illegal mining activities, vowing to take strict measures to curb the practice.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued the warning on Wednesday in Sabon Pegi, Niger State, during a condolence visit to victims of a dynamite explosion that claimed multiple lives and caused extensive property damage on Monday.
In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Idris emphasized the dangers associated with illegal mining and urged those involved to stop immediately.
Accompanied by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, former governor and Senator representing Niger North, Abubakar Sani Bello, and the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, Idris stated that President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to reorganize the mining sector to curb illegal activities.
“These tragedies are largely man-made, and we cannot allow them to continue. The President has instructed the National Orientation Agency to intensify its campaigns, advocacy, and enlightenment efforts, particularly targeting those involved in illegal mining,” Idris stated.
He further noted that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has begun efforts to regulate mining activities nationwide, adding that lessons must be learned from the tragedy.
The minister also highlighted President Tinubu’s deep concern over the increasing frequency of such disasters and revealed that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has been tasked with strengthening public awareness campaigns to prevent future incidents.
“First and foremost, we must recognize that these tragedies are happening far too often in our country. The President is deeply saddened and has directed the NOA to carry out advocacy and enlightenment campaigns, especially in rural communities, to prevent such incidents from recurring,” he added.
Commending the Niger State government for its swift response, Idris also announced that the President has instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, along with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to provide relief to the victims of the Sabon Pegi dynamite explosion.
