Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the area was an abandoned lead site with stored minerals prone to releasing toxic gases. Villagers, unaware of the toxic nature of the emissions, reportedly entered the tunnel to extract minerals and inhaled the gas, he said.
Alake ordered the closure of mining areas covered by licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited and owned by Abdullahi Dan‑China in Zuraq, following the deaths of villagers allegedly mining in a pit containing dangerous gas emissions.
Preliminary findings showed the victims, aged 20 to 35, died after inhaling the gas while working underground, the security report said.Read more: Macron unveils Indo-French AI health centre, pitches tech independence from US and China
The Plateau state government said many were feared dead without providing a figure, adding that others were receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.
Security forces have cordoned off the site to prevent further access.
Most mines in Nigeria operate illegally, with limited safety measures and miners often lacking protective equipment.
The federal government has ordered the immediate shutdown of all mining activities in the affected area pending further investigation.
