According to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, preliminary investigations indicate that one Yushua Maikampala, a resident of New Bussa, was responsible for the illegal stockpiling of explosives at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area of Niger State, on Sunday, caused the explosion.
In a house in Sabo Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area, Maikampala is alleged to have been involved in the purchase and storage of explosives and their accessories.
This was made public on Monday by Channels Television’s Special Assistant to the Minister of Media, Segun Tomori, in a statement released by him.
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An eyewitness’ report claimed that an electrical spark that reportedly sparked the explosion at around 7:00 AM. on Sunday, destroying the explosives-storing facility and causing damage to about 20 other nearby homes. At least two fatalities have been confirmed.
The Minister expresses his condolences to the victims, describing the incident as avoidable given the alleged perpetrator’s carelessness in handling and illegally storing the explosives.
According to Alake, Alake allegedly instructed relevant ministry officials, including the Mines Inspectorate Department, to conduct a forensic investigation of soil samples taken from the blast site to discover the explosives’ origins, which would serve as the plan of action for the coming action.
According to the minister, “Security agencies have been put on the trail of the suspected culprit. He will be apprehended to face justice”.
Source: Channels TV
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