The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has raised serious concerns over illegal mining activities following the death of over 35 miners in a tunnel collapse at Kanpani Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In a statement signed by Paul Odenyi, NOA’s Deputy Director of Communication and Media, the agency expressed deep sorrow over the incident and stressed the urgent need for strict enforcement of safety regulations across all mining sites in the country.

NOA Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the tragedy as “unacceptable in a modern society” and urged mining operators and authorities to prioritize compliance with safety rules to protect lives and national infrastructure.

“The risks associated with illegal mining and poor safety practices far outweigh any perceived gains,” he said, warning that reckless activities in the sector often lead to devastating incidents, including explosions and fires such as the one that claimed lives in Plateau.

Issa-Onilu called on Nigerians to resist actions that result in mass casualties and preventable deaths. He also extended condolences to the families of the deceased, stating: “We mourn the loss of our compatriots in the mining community and stand in solidarity with the grieving families, Plateau State, and Nigeria as a whole.”

Following the incident, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, ordered the immediate closure of areas under mining licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, owned by Abdullahi Dan-China.

NOA urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to intensify monitoring and inspections of mining sites nationwide to avert similar disasters in the future.