Police Launch Probe As Suspected Dynamite Explosion Kills 1, Injured 6 In Niger

An explosion suspected to be from dynaminates kept by an artisanal miner at Sabon Pegi, in Mashegu local government area of Niger State, has killed one person and injured six others.

LEADERSHIP findings revealed that the dynamites were kept by an artisanal gold miner known as Yushau, and they exploded on Sunday morning, affecting many households in the village, thereby destroying properties.

It was learnt that the dynamites exploded when they were being packaged from the store to the various mining sites in the area.

Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, said: “there was an explosion of some suspected dynamites at Sabon-pegi, Mashegu LGA which was reportedly kept in a residential area by one Yushau for a purported mining activity.”

“The explosion led to the unfortunate death of one Fatima Sadauki, while six others were injured and taken to General Hospital Kainji for medical attention,” he further stated.

He further disclosed that the incident affected about 12 houses in the area, saying that the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, has ordered for an investigation into the incident.

Consequently, the PPRO said the Commissioner has dispatched EOD-CBRN unit to the scene for assessment.

On the whereabout of the keeper of the dynamites, the Police spokesman said: “He is currently at large. However, normalcy has been restored in the area while monitoring continues.”