Plateau Mine Tragedy: Dozens Killed in Deadly Gas Blast; Federal Government Orders Immediate Site Closure

A tragic incident at a lead mining operation in central Nigeria claimed at least 37 lives on February 18, 2026, when toxic gases overwhelmed workers underground in Plateau State’s Wase area.

Reports from local authorities, police, and witnesses indicate the event unfolded early that morning – around 6:00 a.m. local time – at the Kampani Zurak (or Kampanin Zurak) site in Bashar district, operated by Solid Unity Nigeria Limited (also referred to as Solid Unit or Solid Mining Company in some accounts). Miners were working in poorly ventilated tunnels when a sudden buildup of poisonous fumes, primarily carbon monoxide along with lead oxide and sulfur compounds, led to the fatalities.

Plateau State Police Command confirmed 37 deaths from gas inhalation, with 26 survivors taken to hospitals for treatment. A security assessment viewed by multiple outlets described the cause as carbon monoxide poisoning in a confined space. The acting traditional ruler of Bashar district, Alhaji Aliyu Adamu Idris, put the toll at 38 dead and about 27 injured, based on information from community leaders at the scene.

Eyewitnesses described frantic but limited rescue efforts as the gases made immediate access dangerous. Authorities cordoned off the area to secure the site and allow investigations to proceed. The Plateau State government released a statement expressing deep sorrow and ordered an immediate suspension of activities at the location pending a full probe by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

This marks another severe setback for Nigeria’s mining sector, where informal and semi-regulated operations often expose workers to extreme hazards like inadequate ventilation, unstable structures, and toxic emissions. Plateau, historically dubbed the “Tin City” for its Jos-based mineral wealth, has seen mining output decline, yet small-scale and artisanal pits persist amid economic pressures.

Similar disasters have struck before – in September 2025, heavy rains triggered a boulder collapse in Zamfara State that killed at least 18 in an illegal mine. Officials frequently link unregulated mining to broader insecurity, as armed groups extort fees from operators, fueling banditry in mineral-rich zones.

No official statement from the mining company had emerged by late February 18. Rescue and recovery operations continued today, with survivors receiving care at nearby facilities. The incident highlights persistent calls for stricter safety enforcement, better oversight of artisanal mining, and investment in protective equipment and ventilation standards to prevent such losses.