• 25 Dead
• Mining site Explosion
• Niger State
• Pegi

DEADLY EXPLOSION IN NIGER STATE MINING COMMUNITY CLAIMS 25 LIVES

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  Nicolas Adekeye / 3 months
• 0
• 2 min read

A devastating explosion rocked the serene mining community of Sabon Pegi in Mashegun Local Government Area, Niger State, on Sunday morning, leaving at least 25 people dead and scores injured. The blast, which was reportedly triggered by improperly stored explosives, reduced more than half of the village’s buildings and shops to rubble. Eyewitnesses described the harrowing moment as the explosion ripped through the mining site, with many scrambling to save their loved ones amidst chaos. “We thought it was the dam in New Bussa that exploded because the sound was deafening. It’s a miracle anyone survived,” said one resident. Initial findings suggest that the explosives were stored in a shop near the mining site by a man named Yushau, who is reportedly known for dealing in explosives. Yushau allegedly stored the materials at his uncle’s house in Sabon Pegi and fled the community immediately after the explosion. His whereabouts remain unknown, and authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend him for questioning. The blast has left Sabon Pegi reeling, with families grieving their losses and many residents displaced. Villagers continue to dig through the debris in hopes of recovering missing relatives, even as military personnel have sealed off the area to maintain order and facilitate rescue efforts. Hospitals in New Bussa are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties, many of whom are in critical condition. The tragedy has sparked outrage and demands for stricter oversight of mining activities in the region. Community leaders have urged authorities to investigate the use and storage of explosives in mining operations, calling for immediate enforcement of safety regulations to prevent future disasters. This incident comes just days after a fuel tanker explosion in Dikko claimed over 100 lives, adding to a growing sense of urgency for better safety measures across Niger State. While there has been no official statement from the state government or police, security forces remain on high alert as the community comes to terms with the magnitude of the tragedy.