The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed its response team to Niger State following the explosion of dynamite in the Sabon-Pegi community, Mashegu Local Government Area (LGA).
The explosion, which took place on Sunday, claimed the life of one person, injured six others, and destroyed 12 houses.
In a statement released on Monday, NEMA said the explosion was caused by dynamite stored by a local artisan miner in a rented residential apartment meant for his workers.
The agency confirmed that it is collaborating with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to manage the situation and provide the necessary support to affected residents.
“A dynamite exploded in a residential area of Sabon Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger,” the statement reads.
“The exploded dynamite was reported to have been kept by a local artisan miner in the wrecked apartment that he had rented for his workers. Some residents of the area were affected by the incident and property was destroyed.
“Meanwhile, NEMA Minna Operation Office and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) are working together in response to incident,” the statement read.
NEMA assured the public that its Minna Operation Office is working closely with NSEMA to assess the damage and provide relief to those impacted by the blast.
The incident follows a similar explosion in January 2024, when at least five people lost their lives in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed that explosive devices stored by illegal miners in a residential apartment were responsible for the tragic blast.
Authorities have reiterated the dangers of improper storage of explosives and called for stricter regulations to prevent such occurrences in the future.
