The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has ordered the temporary closure of Dai Jin Jia Quarry in ACO Village, Abuja, after a fatal incident involving a 10-year-old boy during blasting operations at the site.
The agency says the action is part of its standard regulatory response to ensure full compliance with environmental and safety protocols while investigations are ongoing.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, February 27, 2026, prompted an immediate response from the agency.
The Director of Environmental Quality Control, NESREA, Mr. Elijah Udofia, who spoke on behalf of the Director-General, Professor Innocent Barikor, described the development as deeply distressing and avoidable.
According to Udofia, “The quarry had previously been sealed last year as part of NESREA’s enforcement efforts to uphold environmental standards and protect host communities.”
He explained that despite regulatory warnings and oversight, the company allegedly continued operations in violation of national regulations.
“It is distressing to see that despite prior warnings and sealing, the facility chose to continue operations that not only violate National Environmental Regulations but also put lives at risk. The quarry has been sealed again, this time in response to the grievous consequences of its operations,” he said.
According to NESREA, “Preliminary investigations conducted by NESREA officials, alongside officers of the Nigeria Police, ACO Division, revealed serious regulatory breaches. The quarry reportedly failed to produce a documented Blasting Operation Plan and could not provide records of its Charge Load Density (CLD)—the quantity of explosives used for the blasting—contravening Regulation 23 of the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.”
Officials also discovered that the facility’s warning alarm system, which is designed to alert nearby residents before blasting operations, was faulty at the time of the incident.
Udofia assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that all responsible parties would be held accountable.
Strict Adherence to Environmental Laws
He emphasised that the tragedy underscores the urgent need for strict adherence to environmental laws, particularly in high-risk sectors such as quarrying and mining.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of compliance with environmental regulations. We must prioritize not only adherence to the law but also the safety and well-being of our citizens,” he stated.
NESREA further called on operators within the quarrying sector and other industries to strictly comply with the provisions of national environmental regulations, warning that the agency would not hesitate to take decisive action against violators.
The agency reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the environment and protecting communities from preventable hazards, stressing that such tragedies must not be allowed to reoccur.