By Chide Obiora
The serene mining community of Sabon Pegi in Mashegun Local Government Area, Niger State, is in shock and mourning after a devastating explosion on Sunday morning claimed 25 lives.
The tragedy has left scores injured and many still unaccounted for as rescue operations continue.
The blast, which sent tremors through the surrounding areas, reduced more than half of the village’s buildings and shops to rubble.
Survivors described the harrowing moment as the explosion ripped through the mining site, with many scrambling to save their loved ones amidst chaos.
Initial findings suggest the explosion may have been triggered by improperly stored explosives, allegedly kept in a shop near the mining site.
Yushau, a man reportedly known for dealing in explosives and based in New Bussa, is suspected to have stored the materials at his uncle’s house in Sabon Pegi.
Eyewitnesses claim Yushau fled the community immediately after the explosion and his whereabouts remain unknown as 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.
One resident shared, “We thought it was the dam in New Bussa that exploded because the sound was deafening. It’s a miracle anyone survived.”
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.
