Kayode Fayemi, former Ekiti State Governor and immediate past minister of solid minerals development, has said the illegal mining site in Plateau State where at least 37 miners recently lost their lives was shut down during his time in office in 2017.
Gatekeepers News reports that Fayemi, who served as minister between 2015 and 2018 under the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, reacted to the tragic incident that occurred last Wednesday at an underground mining site in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The miners reportedly died after inhaling carbon monoxide while working inside the pit, while more than 25 others were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Following the incident, the federal government ordered the immediate closure of the site.
In a statement shared on X on Sunday, Fayemi said he personally visited the Zurak mining location in 2017 alongside Babagana Monguno, who was then the National Security Adviser. He explained that the visit followed repeated complaints from community members about unsafe and illegal mining operations in the area.
According to him, the federal government at the time ordered the immediate shutdown of the site and arrested several illegal Chinese operators working there. He added that the alleged owner of the mine, identified as Alhaji Dan China, was declared wanted by security agencies, later arrested, and handed over to the authorities, but was eventually released after Fayemi left office.
“As minister of mines, I visited the mines with the NSA and the governor following numerous complaints from the community. We embargoed mining at the sites, arrested the illegal Chinese operators, and declared the purported owner of the illegal lead and zinc mines, Alhaji Dan China, wanted.”
“He was eventually apprehended and brought to book by the National Security Adviser but was released after I left office. My preliminary discussions with officials of the Ministry, as well as with the former Deputy Speaker and Wase representative in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Idris Wase, indicate that this tragedy occurred at the same mine. It could have been avoided if the security agencies had sustained the action taken by the Ministry in 2017.”
“My sincere condolences go to the families of the deceased. Government must now take firm and decisive action against operators who violate the law and environmental regulations, regardless of whose interests are affected. Mining activities must not be conducted to the detriment of host communities.”
The latest incident has renewed calls for stricter regulation of mining activities across the country, as well as stronger enforcement against illegal operators.
