The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has called for stronger security enforcement in mining communities and the possible establishment of an Army battalion in Zuru, following a gas poisoning incident that claimed 37 lives in Plateau State.
Dr. Alake made the call in Abuja while receiving the report of the High-Level Investigation Committee set up to investigate the incident at the Zuru lead-zinc mining site.
He said strengthening the Mining Marshals and providing a permanent military presence in the area would help curb illegal mining and prevent further loss of lives.
The Minister described the incident as unfortunate, stressing that government must strengthen safety regulations, improve enforcement and put preventive measures in place to minimise the impact of mining accidents.
He noted that the victims were illegal miners who entered an abandoned underground mine where poisonous gases had accumulated, making it difficult for regulatory officials to monitor activities at the location.
Alake said the incident further demonstrated the dangers of illegal mining and the need to strengthen enforcement agencies, particularly the Mining Marshals, through improved personnel, equipment and modern technology.
He stated that more than 100 mining sites had been recovered from illegal operators and returned to their legitimate owners, while several others had been arrested and prosecuted.
The Minister said the proposed Army battalion in Zurak would complement the activities of the Mining Marshals by providing a permanent security presence after illegal mining sites had been cleared.
He explained that the difficult terrain and remote location of the area made regular monitoring by security personnel and mining inspectors challenging.
Alake also called for the development of technological devices to detect poisonous gases in underground mines, urging Nigerian universities and technical institutions to invest in research and innovation that could improve mining safety.
He said the government must move beyond reacting to accidents and develop effective systems for preventing them, adding that compliance with regulations and responsible mining practices were essential to protecting lives.
The Minister described the public presentation of the committee’s report as a deliberate effort to promote accountability and demonstrate that government investigations must lead to concrete action.
He said the report would be forwarded to relevant authorities for consideration and implementation, adding that the administration was determined to ensure that the work of investigative committees did not end with the submission of reports.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and head of the committee’s secretariat,Mr. Faruk Yabo said the investigation established that the victims died after inhaling carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide gases that had accumulated in an abandoned underground mine.
He explained that the abandoned mine dated back to the German and British colonial mining periods and had not been properly sealed, leaving it accessible to unauthorised persons searching for minerals.
The Permanent Secretary said the incident occurred on February 18, 2026, within Mining Lease ML111H10, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He noted that the victims were not employees of the mining company but illegal miners who entered the abandoned underground workings while the company’s regular operations were temporarily suspended for a holiday.
The committee, inaugurated on April 16, 2026, comprised 19 members and a secretary drawn from federal and state institutions, security agencies, technical bodies and the host community.
As part of its assignment, the committee visited the affected site on April 20, 2026, collected samples for laboratory analysis and engaged community leaders, residents and security formations in the area.
