National Orientation Agency warns against illegal mining after Plateau tunnel tragedy

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has cautioned against unauthorised mining activities following the death of more than 35 miners at Kanpani Zurak in Wase LGA of Plateau State.

In a statement released on Monday by Paul Odenyi, the agency’s deputy director of communication and media, the NOA expressed condolences over the incident and called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations alongside stronger protective measures at mining sites across the country.

Quoting its director general, Lanre Issa-Onilu, the agency described the tragedy as unacceptable, stressing that adherence to safety rules must be prioritised to protect lives and vital national assets. He said the risks linked to illegal mining and poor safety standards far outweigh any perceived gains.

Issa-Onilu warned that reckless practices in the sector often lead to severe outcomes, including explosions and fires like the one that claimed lives in Plateau. He urged Nigerians to reject actions that repeatedly result in mass casualties, national grief, and preventable deaths.

“We mourn the loss of our compatriots in the mining community and extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families. We stand in solidarity with them, with the state, and with Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

He also called on regulators and stakeholders in the mining industry to step up enforcement of existing safety standards, including more frequent inspections and monitoring of sites to avert similar disasters.

Following the incident, Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, ordered the immediate shutdown of areas covered by mining licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited and owned by Abdullahi Dan-China.