Former Ekiti governor Kayode Fayemi stated that the Plateau State mining site, where 37 miners lost their lives, had been closed during his tenure as Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Fayemi said he visited the Zurak mining site in 2017 with then National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.

He added that he ordered the immediate closure of the site and the arrest of the illegal Chinese operators.

It was reported that at least 37 miners lost their lives due to carbon monoxide exposure at an underground mining site in Zurak, Wase LGA, Plateau State.

More than 25 miners were hospitalized after the incident, prompting the federal government to order the closure of the mining site.

Fayemi stated that the alleged owner of the mining site, identified as “Alhaji Dan China,” was declared wanted by the police and subsequently arrested, but was released after Fayemi left office.

“As minister of mines, I visited the mines with the NSA and the governor following numerous complaints from the community,” the statement reads.

“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.

“He was eventually apprehended and brought to book by the National Security Adviser but was released after I left office,” he said.

Fayemi added, “My preliminary discussions with officials of the Ministry, as well as with the former Deputy Speaker and Wase representative in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Idris Wase, indicate that this tragedy occurred at the same mine.

“It could have been avoided if the security agencies had sustained the action taken by the Ministry in 2017.

“My sincere condolences go to the families of the deceased. 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.”