Kogi Mine Tragedy: Senate Pushes for Safer Mining, Workers’ Insurance

The Senate has called for urgent measures to address the growing safety, environmental and humanitarian challenges caused by unsafe coal mining activities in Ankpa and other coal-bearing communities in Kogi State.

The motion, sponsored by the Senator representing Kogi East ,Senator Isah Jibrin under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, highlighted the dangerous conditions under which many artisanal and small-scale miners operate across Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas.

The Senate noted that the coal-rich communities of Enjema, Okaba and Ikah are located within the Ankpa Coal Block in the Anambra Basin, where unstable geological formations make the area highly vulnerable to landslides, subsidence and ground failure. Lawmakers expressed sadness over the July 14, 2026 landslide at Alufele in Enjema District, which reportedly trapped miners underground, caused several trucks to sink into mining pits and claimed the lives of about 20 workers while leaving many others injured.
According to the motion, unsafe mining practices, including the widespread use of the room-and-pillar mining method without adequate structural support, have significantly increased the risk of mine collapses.

Senators also raised concerns over the lack of employment contracts, health insurance, life insurance and occupational hazard protection for many miners, leaving victims and their families without compensation or financial support after accidents.

To address the situation, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to audit licensed mining operators nationwide and improve regulatory oversight. It also called on the Federal Government to establish a statutory Mining Workers’ Compensation Scheme, create a Mine Rehabilitation and Victims Support Fund, and work with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to introduce compulsory occupational accident insurance for all categories of miners.

The Senate further directed its relevant committees to engage the appropriate agencies on the implementation of the resolutions within six weeks and observed a minute’s silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the Kogi mining disaster.