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 Council.

The explosion, which took place on Sunday, claimed one person, injured six others and destroyed 12 houses.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been called upon to respond to the weighty allegations made by the former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen Adams Oshiomhole, that senior military officers, some retired, were backing foreign miners to perpetuate their illegal activities in various communities in Nigeria.

In a statement, yesterday, NEMA noted that the explosion was caused by a dynamite stored by a local artisanal miner in a rented residential apartment for his workers.

The agency confirmed that it was 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 Council of Niger,” the statement reads. “The exploded dynamite was reported to have been kept by a local artisanal miner in the dilapidated apartment he rented for his workers. Some residents were affected by the incident and property was destroyed.”

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.

LEONARD Anyogo, a notary public, who was featured on Sparkling FM radio morning programme, Let’s Talk Nigeria, yesterday, stated that it would be wrong for the Federal Government to overlook such an emphatic statement by a serving senator and former governor.

Oshiomhole said: “Very senior military generals are behind illegal mining in the country, backing many Chinese to plunder the mining resources. They have weaponised the processes. They fly in choppers, carry away the resources worth billions of United States dollars, and do so with impunity, without anyone challenging them.”

Oshiomhole also disclosed that, as national chairman of APC, he took the information to then-President Muhammadu Buhari and called on him to query the retired generals, but Buhari remained silent and refused to act.

He wondered if there were different laws in the country for the rich and powerful compared to the poor and less privileged.

“The allegations by Oshiomhole against some serving and retired senior military officers are weighty and must not be overlooked,” Anyogo stressed.

He added that the names of the generals should be disclosed by the Public Prosecution Commission.

The lawyer advised the country to take immediate action to encourage direct investment and affirm the country’s position in the eyes of foreign nations.