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By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, Wednesday, inaugurated high-level Investigation Committee into the Zurak Mine gas poisoning incident in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Alake who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr Faruk Yabo, at a media briefing on the inauguration, described the incident which killed 37 people on 18th of February, 2026 as unfortunate, saying it serves as a wake-up call for everyone saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the nation’s minefields are safe and secure to be on their game, in line with global best practices.

He said: “This particular incident is rare and a departure from the often-reported cases of ground caving-in, pit collapse, mudslide, fall of wall, etc. that unfortunately occur from time to time at mining sites.

“It is for this reason that a thorough and incisive inquest is needed to uncover the immediate and remote causes of this incident and to forestall future occurrences.

“I am deeply grateful that you all have accepted the call to be part of this critical assignment.

“We must ensure that this incident is not merely a statistic, but a stark and painful reminder that neglecting safety erodes trust. As a government, we must, through our actions, restore confidence in the people of the affected community and beyond.

“Preliminary information available to this Ministry suggests that this tragedy may be attributed to a combination of factors, which include poor health and safety compliance at the mine site, weak enforcement by the relevant mining regulatory authorities, and apparent carelessness on the part of the operator, Solid Unit Mining Company Limited and the youths of the community that operated the ceded portion of the lease belonging to the operator.

“To ensure transparency, this investigation Committee is expected to comprehensively examine all relevant aspects, with a view to making clear recommendations that will ensure the non-repetition of similar incidents in the future.

“In view of the seriousness of this incident, therefore and the need to safeguard lives and preserve the integrity of the investigation, I wish to formally restate that Solid Unit Mining Company Limited has been placed on immediate suspension from all mining operations at ML 11810 and any other associated site, pending the conclusion of this investigation and the acceptance of the Committee’s recommendations by the Ministry.”

Meanwhile, the Minister explained that the committee is not to serve as a punitive measure, rather an administrative and safety imperative.

However, he said “the company shall remain under suspension until this Ministry is fully satisfied that operations can resume safely and in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

“The establishment of this Committee is therefore not an isolated response to a crisis, but a demonstration of this government’s zero tolerance for negligence and its commitment to deepening the culture of safety and responsibility in mining.

“I herefore call on Solid Unit Mining Company Limited, when the time comes for its reinstatement, to approach the rebuilding of its relationship with the people of Zurak with sincerity, humility, and a genuine commitment to their welfare.

“Similarly, I urge all mining companies operating across Nigeria to regard their host communities not as obstacles to be managed, but as partners to be respected, engaged, and invested in.”

The committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Solid Minerals Development, Engr Faruk Yabo.