The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic deaths of dozens of miners in Plateau State, calling for strict enforcement of safety regulations and improved protective measures across mining sites nationwide.

The plea follows a deadly incident on February 18, 2026, at a mining site in the Kampanin Zurak area of Wase Local Government Area, where at least 37 miners were killed after being exposed to toxic gas while working underground.

Police and security reports attributed the deaths to carbon monoxide poisoning from accumulated gases in poorly ventilated mine shafts. More than two dozen others were also hospitalised in the collapse and toxic gas incident.

In a statement on Monday, NOA’s Director General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the disaster as completely unacceptable in a modern society, urging authorities and stakeholders to act decisively to protect lives and prevent similar tragedies.

Issa-Onilu warned that the risks associated with unauthorised mining operations and inadequate safety measures far outweigh any perceived benefits, noting that such negligence frequently leads to loss of life, explosions and other catastrophic outcomes.

He therefore called for stronger oversight and routine inspections of mining activities.

The NOA DG extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and all those affected by the tragedy.

“We mourn the loss of our compatriots in the mining community and extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families. We stand in solidarity with them, with the state, and with Nigeria as a whole,” Issa-Onilu stated.

Plateau’s mining disaster is the latest in a troubling pattern of mining-related accidents in Nigeria in recent years.

In November 2024, a mining site collapse in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State claimed at least 13 lives when a pit gave way, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in informal operations.

Other incidents, such as a mining pit collapse in Ebonyi State in February 2026 that killed multiple workers, is another proof of recurring hazards associated with poorly regulated mining activities in both artisanal and small-scale sectors.

Issa-Onilu called on Nigerians to stand against practices that have repeatedly led to mass casualties and national trauma, stressing that such tragedies are avoidable when safety standards and regulations are prioritized and enforced.

He urged relevant authorities, including regulatory bodies and mining firms, to intensify efforts to enforce compliance with established safety protocols, strengthen routine inspections, and ensure adequate protective equipment is provided at all mining sites.

The NOA boss also emphasised the collective responsibility of government, industry and communities to work together to prevent further loss of life in Nigeria’s vital mining sector, saying that only through coordinated action can the cycle of preventable tragedies be broken.