According to Premium Times, a catastrophic mining accident in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State has resulted in the deaths of 37 miners, with 25 others currently hospitalised. The victims were reportedly exposed to lethal gaseous emissions—specifically carbon monoxide—while working at an underground site in Zurak. In response, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development has ordered the immediate closure of the areas covered by Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, pending a full investigation into the safety protocols at the facility.
Reporting by Vanguard indicates that the local government chairman, Hamisu Anani, confirmed the casualties occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, highlighting the dangers faced by workers in the unregulated and poorly ventilated shafts. The federal government has dispatched a team of investigators to the site to determine if the operators were in violation of the Mineral and Mining Act.
This incident has reignited the national debate over the enforcement of safety standards and the environmental impact of underground mining activities in the North-Central region.
Daily Post further validated the report, quoting a ministry official who stated that “the closure is necessary to contain the situation and prevent further loss of life.”
Channels TV also covered the story, noting that emergency responders had difficulty accessing the deeper parts of the mine due to the persistent gas levels.
The state government has declared a period of mourning for the victims, most of whom were young men from the local community seeking livelihoods in the artisanal mining sector.
Echotitbits take:
This tragedy underscores the high human cost of Nigeria’s “solid minerals rush.” While the government seeks to diversify the economy away from oil, the lack of rigorous safety oversight in mining is a ticking time bomb. Expect tighter licensing requirements and a crackdown on companies operating without adequate ventilation and emergency gear in the wake of this disaster.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/fg-seals-plateau-mine-after-gas-leak-kills-37/, and February 19, 2026
Photo credit: The Punch
