The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has revealed that the deadly explosion in Sabon Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area, Niger State, was caused by the illegal stockpiling of explosives by a resident, Yushua Maikampala. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of three individuals and the destruction of 40 houses.
A statement issued by Segun Tomori, the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, on Monday, stated that Maikampala had been purchasing and storing explosives and related accessories in a house within the area. Preliminary investigations indicated that an electrical spark around 7 a.m. on Sunday triggered the explosion, which destroyed the building where the explosives were stored and affected nearby houses.
In response to the incident, the minister dispatched officials from the Federal Mines Office in Niger State to assess the situation on-site. Expressing his condolences to the victims and their families, Alake described the explosion as a preventable tragedy caused by negligence in the handling and storage of explosives.
The statement read: “Following reports of an explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, dispatched officials of the Federal Mines Office to the blast site for an on-the-spot assessment.
“Preliminary findings suggest that the explosion was caused by the illegal stockpiling of explosives by one Yushua Maikampala, a resident of New Bussa. Maikampala is believed to have purchased and stored explosives and their accessories in a house in Sabon Pegi.”
The statement also noted that Alake directed the Mines Inspectorate Department to conduct a forensic analysis of soil samples collected from the site to trace the source of the explosives. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring adherence to safety and environmental standards in mining operations to prevent similar occurrences.
Security agencies have been tasked with locating and apprehending the suspect, who will face justice upon capture.
This incident follows a concerning trend, with over 30 fatalities reported from mining site explosions in 2024, alongside numerous injuries and damages.
