One person has been confirmed dead while five others remain trapped following the collapse of part of a privately owned rice mill in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at the facility owned by NIA-AGRI, prompting an emergency response from state authorities and rescue agencies.
Emergency workers were still at the scene as of the time of filing this report, working to reach victims believed to be buried under heaps of metal and debris from the collapsed structure.
Leading a government delegation to the site, the Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, said the priority of the state government was to rescue those still trapped.
“We are here to assess the situation and, more importantly, to ensure that every possible effort is made to rescue those still trapped. The safety of workers is paramount, and the government will remain fully engaged until the operation is concluded,” Tafida said.
A project engineer at the site told officials that one worker died instantly, while five others were still believed to be under the rubble as of Tuesday night.
A joint rescue team comprising personnel from the Kebbi State Fire Service and other emergency responders has been deployed to the scene. The team is using heavy-duty equipment to carefully cut through the debris in search of survivors.
A senior emergency official said the rescue operation was being handled with extreme caution.
“This is a delicate operation. Our teams are doing everything possible to reach those trapped without causing further harm or additional collapse,” the official said.
The state government expressed sympathy with the management and staff of NIA-AGRI, describing the incident as tragic.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been established. However, the deputy governor said a full investigation would be carried out after the rescue operation.
“Once the rescue is completed, the government will launch a thorough investigation to determine what led to this incident and how to prevent a recurrence,” Tafida said.
Rice milling is a key part of Kebbi State’s agro-industrial drive, with several private facilities employing hundreds of workers across the state.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety standards within the sector.
Tafida assured that the state government would provide support to affected families.
“We pray for the safety of those still trapped and extend our condolences to the family of the deceased. The government will offer the necessary assistance to all those affected,” he said.
