An unconfirmed number of miners have reportedly died following suspected toxic gas exposure at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident, which occurred at a mining location in Wase, has sparked renewed concerns over safety standards and regulatory oversight in rural mining communities.
The Wase Youth Leader, Shafi Sambo, said he received an early-morning call informing him of the tragedy. According to him, the miners allegedly dug deep into the ground and were exposed to a gas that killed 37 people instantly.
He added that several others were rescued alive and rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment, although the exact number of survivors remains unclear.
Sambo stated that the youths were mining zinc on behalf of a company reportedly linked to a Chinese-owned mining firm operating in the area. However, the exact mineral involved has not been officially confirmed.
Following the incident, troops of the Nigerian Army were deployed to the site. The area was cordoned off to prevent further access and possible exposure, as well as to maintain order.
Efforts to obtain official comments from state authorities were unsuccessful. Calls to the Plateau State Commissioner for Environment and the Wase Local Government chairman were not answered as of press time.
The tragedy has renewed public concern over artisanal and company-backed mining activities in Nigeria, particularly in remote areas where environmental monitoring, worker protection, and emergency response systems are often limited.
Residents are calling on the Plateau State Government and relevant federal agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, establish accountability, and strengthen enforcement of mining safety regulations to prevent future loss of life.
