Tragedy: How explosion killed 37 miners in Plateau, 26 hospitalised

FG seals Plateau mine over deadly gas leak

Plateau Govt commiserates with victims’ families, urges residents to remain calm

Tragedy struck in Plateau State on Wednesday as an explosion killed 37 persons with 26 others hospitalised at a mining site in Kampani Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, Plateau State Police Command, made this known on Wednesday night in a press statement signed by the command’s spokesman, Alabo Alfred.

The commissioner added that the incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, due to a sudden discharge of toxic gases, including lead oxide, sulphur, and carbon monoxide, in a poorly ventilated environment.

He added that the police have deployed tactical teams, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, to assess the situation and investigate the cause and samples of rock, soil, and minerals.

The Plateau Police boss warned residents to stop engaging in illegal mining activities and assured the public of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

The statement further reads that “The Plateau State Police Command is saddened by the incident that occurred in Kampani Zurak Community of Wase Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Wednesday, the 18th of February, 2026, at about 06:00 a.m., where thirty-seven 37 persons were suffocated to death and twenty-six others hospitalised as a result of gas inhalation.

He said “Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Bassey Ewah, immediately directed the Area Commander Langtang, the Commander 66PMF Shendam, and the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in charge of Bashar and Wase Divisions to mobilise and lead a team of detectives to the scene of the incident. On reaching the scene, the area was cordoned off while rescue operations continued.

The statement added that “Preliminary investigation revealed that the miners were affected due to a sudden discharge of lead oxide and other associated gases, including sulphur and carbon monoxide, which are toxic and poisonous to humans, particularly in confined or poorly ventilated environments.

He said the corpses of the deceased have been released to their families for burial according to their religious practices.

“As an additional measure to douse tension and prevent future occurrences of such incidents, the Commissioner of Police has deployed the Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of Operations (DOPS) and the State CID, who are currently at the scene to assess the situation.

“He said the command also deployed the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, also known as the ‘Anti-Bomb Squad,’ which is currently conducting an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the incident and implement measures to prevent future occurrences as samples of rock, soil, and minerals were collected for further analysis.

Meanwhile, Mrs Joyce Ramnap, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, in a statement on Wednesday in Jos, commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones, adding that the injured were currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

 “The Plateau Government received with deep shock and profound sadness reports of a tragic explosion at a mining site in Kampani Zurak, reportedly owned by Solid Unit Nig. Ltd.

“Government is deeply concerned about the development and is working closely with relevant security agencies, emergency responders and health authorities to ensure that the situation is brought under control,” she said

The commissioner, however, called on the residents of the community to be calm and law abiding.

In response to the tragedy, the Federal Government, on Wednesday, ordered the sealing of mining located in Zuraq, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, gave the directive in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wase LGA Chairman, Hamisu Anani, confirmed that at least 37 miners died and 25 were hospitalised in the early hours of Tuesday.

The victims were exposed to gaseous emissions while allegedly mining at an underground mining site in Zurak.

The minister said the closure of areas covered by Mining Licence 11810 operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited owned by Abdullahi Dan-China in Zuraq, was necessary to contain the situation and conduct investigations.

He said that he had dispatched a team of officials and investigators led by the ministry’s  Permanent Secretary, Yusuf Yabo to probe the remote and immediate causes of the incident and recommend sanctions.

According to him, the team also includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal cooperatives.

He assured that he was coordinating the team and the support services to ensure effective management of the situation.

“The actions were taken as preliminary reports indicated that the company ceded the pit where the incident took place to the community to mine following agitations by villagers for empowerment.

“It was gathered that the area was an abandoned Lead site with the stored mineral prone to emissions of sulphuric oxide.

“Unaware of the poisonous nature of the emissions, the villagers reportedly engaged in extraction while inhaling the gaseous substance.

“ML 11810 lies between longitudes 10.34.45, and 10.35.50 and latitudes 9.13.45, 9.14.40,” he said.

Alake said more updates would be provided  as investigations progress.

He condoled with Plateau governor, Caleb Mutfwang, over the loss, describing it as unfortunate incident of innocent citizens who died trying to earn a living.