Niger govt donates N174m to victims of dynamite explosion

The Niger State Government has donated the sum of N174 million to victims of the dynamite explosion that occurred in Sabon Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area (LGA).

Governor Umaru Bago announced the cash donation when he visited the scene of the explosion to commiserate with the victims and the community members.

According to a statement by the Niger State Government, Bago explained that N5m each should be given to those whose houses were totally destroyed, N2m to those whose houses were partially damaged, N1m to the injured, N2m to the families of the deceased, and N1m each to those whose vehicles were affected.

He said the cash donation is to provide succour to the victims, adding that a committee will be set up to ensure the judicious sharing of the money.

“The farmer governor acknowledged that the area has large deposits of gold and lithium, and it is characterized by artisanal mining, resulting in insecurity in the area as they have explosives and guns in their possession,” the statement read.

He called on the people to surrender their explosives and other dangerous weapons to the committee, which is made up of security agencies, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), traditional institutions, and other relevant stakeholders for safe storage instead of keeping them in their houses.

While sympathising with the victims of the incident, Bago called on the people to embrace the responsible mining policy of the state government for their safety.

Bago was accompanied by the Minister of Information and National Orientation Agency, Mohammed Idris; the Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello; Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, AbdulMalik Sarkin Daji; federal and state lawmakers from the state; some State Executive Council members; APC stalwarts; and the Emir of Borgu, Mohammed Sani Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, among other dignitaries.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation Agency, Idris, said President Bola Tinubu is deeply saddened by the incident, describing it as a man-made tragedy that cannot be allowed to continue.