The Plateau State Government has confirmed a devastating mining incident in Kampani Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area, where dozens of miners reportedly died following a suspected carbon monoxide leak inside a tunnel.
Survivors and local sources said no fewer than 38 miners were killed in the early hours of Wednesday, while more than 20 others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospitals in Wase town.
However, government officials cited about 33 persons trapped in the tunnel, underscoring discrepancies in casualty figures emerging from the remote site.
A local miner, Safiyanu Haruna, recounted that the tragedy struck shortly after dawn when the miners returned to work following their morning prayers.
They were all alive around 5:30am when they left for prayers. It was when they returned to the site that the gas trapped them,” he said.
According to him, the victims were overwhelmed by carbon monoxide believed to have accumulated overnight in the tunnel. Rescue efforts were delayed as other workers scheduled to arrive later in the morning were not yet at the site.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, ordered the immediate closure of areas covered by Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited and owned by Abdullahi Dan-China in Zuraq.
In a condolence call to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Alake expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and dispatched a high-level investigative team led by Permanent Secretary Yusuf Yabo.
The team comprises experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal cooperatives to determine the remote and immediate causes of the incident and recommend sanctions where necessary.
According to a statement by the minister’s media aide, Segun Tomori, preliminary findings suggest the company had ceded the abandoned lead mining pit to the community following local agitation for empowerment.
The site, reportedly prone to emissions of sulphuric oxide, was allegedly mined by villagers unaware of the toxic dangers posed by the accumulated gases.
Alake pledged to make further disclosures as investigations progress.
Environment Ministry Deploys Experts
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, also directed the immediate and total shutdown of all mining activities in the affected area pending investigation.
He approved the deployment of a team of environmental experts from Abuja to assess the situation and prevent further health and ecological risks.
In a statement, the Plateau State Government described the incident as shocking and tragic.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, extended condolences to bereaved families, assuring residents that injured victims were receiving medical care.
The government said it is working closely with security agencies, emergency responders and health authorities to secure the site and prevent further casualties.
Residents of Kampani Zurak and neighbouring communities were urged to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information capable of escalating panic.
Authorities at both state and federal levels have vowed that no stone will be left unturned in uncovering the cause of the disaster and strengthening safety measures across mining communities in Plateau State.
