Former Governor of Ekiti State and former Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has expressed anguish over the death of about 40 persons in a mining disaster at Kampani Zurak in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, revealing that a key suspect earlier arrested over illegal operations at the site was released after his tenure as the Minister of Mines.

In a statement released on his official Facebook page on Sunday, while reacting to the tragedy, Fayemi described the incident as “entirely preventable”, noting that decisive steps had been taken during his time as minister to halt illegal activities at the same mining location.

“I feel pained to learn of the deaths of about 40 people, with several others injured and still missing, at the Kampani Zurak mines in Wase Local Government Area of the state. What makes this even more painful is that it was entirely preventable,” he said.

The former minister disclosed that following complaints from members of the host community, he personally visited the mine in the company of the then National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and then Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, in 2017.

According to him, the Federal Government subsequently placed an embargo on mining activities at the site after investigations uncovered widespread illegal operations.

“We embargoed mining at the sites, arrested the illegal Chinese operators, and declared the purported owner of the illegal lead and zinc mines, Alhaji Dan China, wanted,” Fayemi claimed.

He added that the suspect was eventually apprehended and brought to book through the intervention of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

However, he lamented that the individual was later released after he left office as the minister, expressing concern that the reversal of earlier enforcement actions may have paved the way for the resumption of unsafe operations.

Fayemi further revealed preliminary discussions with officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, as well as with former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Wase federal lawmaker Honourable Idris Wase, indicated that the latest tragedy occurred at the same mining site previously shut down by the Federal Government.

He stressed that the disaster could have been avoided if security agencies had sustained the enforcement measures initiated in 2017.

Fayemi urged authorities to clamp down on illegal mining operators and ensure strict compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

“Government must now take firm and decisive action against operators who violate the law and environmental regulations, regardless of whose interests are affected. Mining activities must not be conducted to the detriment of host communities,” he warned.

He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured, while urging authorities to prioritise the safety of mining communities and prevent a recurrence of such avoidable tragedies. (TRIBUNE)