By Peter Omopo
Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has said the mining site in Plateau State where 37 miners recently lost their lives had been sealed during his tenure as Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
Fayemi, who served in the cabinet of former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2018, stated that decisive action was taken against the facility after an official inspection in 2017.
At least 37 miners reportedly died last Wednesday following exposure to carbon monoxide at an underground mining site in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. More than 25 others were hospitalised after the incident, prompting the Federal Government to order the closure of the site.
Reacting to the development in a statement shared on X on Sunday, Fayemi maintained that the mine had previously been shut down while he was in office.
He disclosed that he personally visited the Zurak mining site in 2017 alongside the then National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, following complaints from members of the host community.
According to him, he ordered the immediate closure of the facility and directed the arrest of the alleged illegal Chinese operators managing the site at the time. He added that the purported owner of the mine, identified as “Alhaji Dan China,” was declared wanted by the police and subsequently arrested.
Fayemi, however, noted that the suspect was later released after he left office.
He said preliminary discussions with ministry officials, as well as with the former Deputy Speaker and Wase representative in the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, indicated that the recent tragedy occurred at the same mine that was shut down in 2017.
“It could have been avoided if the security agencies had sustained the action taken by the Ministry in 2017,” Fayemi said.
The incident has triggered renewed concerns over regulatory enforcement and monitoring within Nigeria’s mining sector, particularly regarding sites previously sanctioned for violations.
With the Federal Government once again ordering the closure of the Zurak facility, questions are being raised about how operations allegedly resumed at a site that had earlier been sealed.
Fayemi extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and called for firm action against operators who violate environmental and safety regulations.
“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,” he said.
