The Senate has called on the Federal Government to move fast to tackle the safety, environmental and humanitarian crisis linked to unsafe coal mining in Kogi State. Lawmakers said the situation in Ankpa and other coal-bearing communities has become too dangerous to ignore.
The motion was sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin of Kogi East and debated under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders. He told colleagues that artisanal and small-scale miners in Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas are working under conditions that put lives at constant risk. 
At the center of the concern are the coal-rich communities of Enjema, Okaba and Ikah. These towns sit within the Ankpa Coal Block in the Anambra Basin. Senators noted that the geology there is unstable, which makes the area prone to landslides, ground subsidence and sudden collapse.
The debate was prompted by a disaster on July 14, 2026 at Alufele in Enjema District. According to the motion, a landslide trapped miners underground, swallowed several trucks that fell into mining pits, and left the community reeling.
About 20 workers were reported killed in that incident, with many others sustaining injuries. The figures, lawmakers said, underscore how quickly an unregulated pit can turn deadly.
Senators linked the tragedy to poor mining practices. The widespread use of the room-and-pillar method without proper structural support was cited as a major reason collapses keep happening across the zone.
Beyond the geology, lawmakers raised the human cost. Many miners have no employment contracts, no health insurance, no life cover, and no protection against occupational hazards. When accidents occur, victims and their families are left with nothing.
To address this, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to carry out a nationwide audit of licensed operators and tighten regulatory oversight. Better monitoring, it said, is needed to stop illegal and unsafe operations.
The chamber also asked the Federal Government to set up a statutory Mining Workers’ Compensation Scheme and a Mine Rehabilitation and Victims Support Fund. In addition, it called on the National Insurance Commission to introduce compulsory occupational accident insurance for all categories of miners.
Finally, the Senate directed its relevant committees to engage the appropriate agencies and report back on implementation within six weeks. Before adjourning debate on the motion, members observed a minute’s silence in honour of those who died in the Kogi mining disaster.
