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FG Visits Plateau Mining Site, Launches Probe Into Gas Tragedy That Killed 37
The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the recent mass death recorded at an underground mining site in Zurak, Plateau State, where at least 37 miners died and several others were hospitalised following suspected gas poisoning.
The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Henry Dele Alake, represented by Permanent Secretary Faruk Yahaya Yabo, led a federal delegation to the community on Thursday, February 19, on a fact-finding mission.
The team included directors from mines compliance, inspectorate, environmental compliance, and special duties, alongside officials of the state government.
The visit followed the tragedy that struck the mining community in the early hours of Tuesday, reportedly caused by suspected carbon monoxide and sulphite gas emissions within the mining shaft.
Speaking at the site, the minister conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, describing the incident as devastating.
“It is highly tragic for a community like this to lose more than 30 able-bodied persons. We are here on a fact-finding mission,” he said.
He noted that while preliminary information points to the presence of toxic gases, this has not yet been scientifically confirmed. He also expressed concern over the absence of technical representatives from the licensed mining company, stressing that concession holders remain responsible for safety oversight even when local miners operate within their licensed areas.
The minister added that early security reports suggested possible violations of safety regulations and hinted at illegal mining activities, assuring that a comprehensive investigation would determine the exact cause and guide preventive measures.
Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Peter K. Gwom, said although mining falls under federal jurisdiction, stronger enforcement of the Mining Act 2007 is necessary.
He stated that the state government is ready to collaborate with federal authorities to improve mining safety, noting that the government has begun organizing miners into cooperatives, offering training, safety equipment, and micro-loans to reduce fatalities.
“We have too many widows and fatherless children due to unsafe mining practices. This must stop,” he said.
Also speaking, Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, conveyed condolences on behalf of Governor Caleb Mutfwang and reiterated the importance of compliance with mining regulations. She referenced the governor’s earlier suspension of illegal mining operations as part of efforts to strengthen safety.
Executive Chairman of Wase Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Hamisu Muhammad Anani, commended the swift response of both federal and state authorities, pledging intensified community sensitisation, while noting that economic hardship continues to push many people into informal mining.
Meanwhile, the National Commander of Mining Marshals under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Assistant Commandant Attah John Onoja, said the tragedy reinforces the urgency of federal efforts to eliminate illegal mining. He assured that findings of the investigation would be fully enforced in collaboration with security agencies.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of affected families, community representative Hakimi Bashar Aliyu Adamu Idris expressed appreciation for the visit but lamented the humanitarian toll, noting that many women had been widowed and children left fatherless. He appealed for government support, particularly improved road infrastructure to enhance accessibility, security, and safer mining operations.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the incident and to strengthen safety compliance across mining sites nationwide.
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old man, Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun, over a viral video allegedly showing him calling for the use of AK-47 rifles to kill Christians in Enugu and Plateau states.
Politics Nigeria reports that the suspect, a native of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, was arrested for investigation after the video circulated on social media and sparked concerns over religiously motivated violence.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ani Iniedu, said the Zamfara State Police Command had activated its intelligence resources to identify those involved in the incident.
The police also confirmed that the command had engaged the leadership of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) at the national and state levels following the emergence of the video.
According to the police, the organisation disassociated itself from the alleged conduct and handed the suspect over to the authorities for investigation.
The video reportedly showed the suspect wearing JIBWIS uniform and appearing alongside pupils from two Islamic schools in Maradun: Nurul Islam Islamiya and Akidatul Sahiha Islamiya.
Preliminary findings by the Zamfara State Police Command indicated that the video was recorded on Friday, October 23, 2026, while the suspect was reportedly on his way to Aliyu Ibn Abi Thalib Mosque, where he and others allegedly provided security during Friday prayers and preaching.
The suspect was born on September 15, 2004. He reportedly attended Mualledi Model Primary School and Government Day Secondary School, both in Maradun.
He also reportedly joined JIBWIS in 2025 and recently gained admission to study Mass Communication at Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara.
The police said a comprehensive investigation had commenced and that the suspect would be charged before a competent court if sufficient evidence established an offence under applicable law.
Earlier, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Bello, said the investigation would consider allegations of incitement to violence, disturbance of public peace and criminal intimidation under Sections 77, 78 and 380(b) of the Penal Code Law applicable in the state, subject to the evidence gathered and applicable law.
The police also condemned statements capable of promoting religious hatred, threatening community safety or undermining peaceful coexistence.
“The Zamfara State Police Command remains resolute in its duty to uphold the law, protect lives and property, defend the rights of all citizens without discrimination, and work with relevant stakeholders to sustain peace and security throughout Zamfara State,” the commissioner said.
The development comes as JIBWIS has publicly distanced itself from the video and condemned calls for violence against non-Muslims.
The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad Ashiru, stated this in a statement issued at its headquarters in Jos on Tuesday.
Ashiru said the organisation had yet to establish the authenticity of the video but maintained that its position against violence was clear.
“We are yet to confirm whether the video is authentic, but our position against violence remains clear,” he said.
He added that JIBWIS, under the leadership of Ash-Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, would not support calls to attack or kill anyone because of their religious affiliation.
Ashiru said banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and Boko Haram attacks were already affecting communities across the country, warning that statements promoting violence could heighten tensions and threaten peaceful coexistence.
“We would not support any call capable of disturbing the peace of Nigeria, as such comments are capable of inciting violence and creating unnecessary tension among Nigerians,” he said.
The JIBWIS spokesperson stressed that anyone making such statements in the organisation’s name did not represent its position.
He urged security agencies to investigate the video, establish its authenticity and identify those responsible, adding that anyone found culpable should face the law after a proper investigation.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid circulating unverified information and refrain from sharing the video in ways that could escalate religious tensions.
The Force reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerians irrespective of religious affiliation and taking lawful action against conduct capable of inciting hatred or threatening public peace.
Senator Victor Umeh has accused Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of acting out of envy and hatred towards presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi.
Umeh claimed that Soludo was trying to surpass Obi's political record, insisting that the former Anambra governor remained more popular than his successor in the state and across Nigeria.
The senator made the remarks on Tuesday while fielding questions on Channels Television's Politics Today programme.
Umeh, who said he attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, alongside Obi and Soludo between 1980 and 1984, suggested that their shared academic background might have contributed to what he described as peer envy.
He said, “He (Peter Obi) cannot be drawn to what is called the peer envy and hate. You know, all of us were in the university together. Myself, Soludo, Peter Obi. We were at the University of Nigeria from 1980 to 1984, all of us graduated the same day.
“So sometimes when you see people talk, they talk out of maybe peer envy. He (Soludo) is running after Peter Obi's record.”
The senator further argued that Obi remained more popular than Soludo despite the latter's position as governor of Anambra State.
“Whether he likes it or not, today, no matter what Soludo does, Peter Obi will continue to be more popular than him, both in Nigeria and in Anambra State. Go there and see,” Umeh added.
Obi served as governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014. Soludo became governor in 2022.
‘Envy, hate behind Soludo’s attacks on Peter Obi’ – Senator Umeh
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