• Search for more bodies continues
From John Adams, Minna
More bodies have been recovered from the scene of explosion at a mining site at Sabon Pegi in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, bringing the tally to 25.
The explosion occurred in the early hours of yesterday when the miners had just resumed for the day’s work.
Unspecified numbers are said to have suffered various degrees of injuries and in critical condition. They are receiving treatment at various hospitals at New Bussa.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing as more people, including women and children, are said to be missing or buried under the rubbles.
The explosion reduced over 50 percent of residential buildings and shops in the community to rubble.
Additional sources from the village suggested that the explosive devices may have been stored in a shop some meters away from the mining site.
The explosion was said to have sent fears through the entire Sabon Pegi and neighbouring villages, including New Bussa, headquarters of Borgu Local Government Area, leaving the people scrambling for safety.
“People were just running into the bush because initially they thought the explosion was from the hydro-electricity dam in the area because it was very loud. It was later that we were told that the explosion occurred at a mining site at Sabon Pegi in Mashegu local government area which shares a border with some villages in Borgu local government area.”
A middle-age man simply identified as Yushau based in New Bussa was said to have stored the explosive devices he deals in at his uncle’s house which he uses as a shop in Sabon Pegi.
The state Police Command, in a statement in Minna by the public relations officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that the suspected dynamites were kept in a house by one Yushau for a purported mining activity.
The Police claimed that the explosion led to the unfortunate death of one Fatima Sadauki, while six others were injured and taken to general hospital Kainji, New Bussa for medical attention.
“The incident affected about 12 houses in the area and the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, has ordered an investigation into the incident.”
He disclosed that the command has dispatched an EOD-CBRN unit to the scene for assessment, but added that one Yushau who was said to have kept the explosives is currently at large.
He stated further that “normalcy has been restored in the area while monitoring continues.”
Meanwhile, the military has condoned off the area even as villagers search for more bodies.