Nigerian Agency Shuts Abuja Quarry After Flying Rocks !njured Students, Teachers In School
Nigerian Agency Shuts Abuja Quarry After Flying Rocks Injured Students, Teachers In School
NESREA said its immediate shutdown of the quarry followed a preliminary investigation that established clear violations of the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed the Cornerstone quarry facility in Dutse, Abuja, after flying rocks from an explosive blast left several students injured and destroyed structures at the Graceland High School.
According to NESREA, the blast — carried out by Istanbul Quarry, which manages the site — sent rocks hurtling into the nearby school on Wednesday, disrupting examinations and causing what officials described as life-threatening damage.
In a statement, the Assistant Director (Press) at NESREA, Nwamaka Ejiofor, confirmed that “11 students and two staff of the school sustained various degrees of injury” when the rocks struck classrooms at about 12:30 p.m. She added that “nearby shops were also affected by the flying rocks.”
NESREA said its immediate shutdown of the quarry followed a preliminary investigation that established clear violations of the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
The Deputy Director of Conservation Monitoring, Glory Uboh, explained that the injuries to students, the damage to the school environment, and the danger posed to surrounding communities justified swift enforcement action.
She stated, “What happened is life-threatening; that was why we had to move in immediately to seal the facility. Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, which carried out the blasting operation, will be sanctioned because our preliminary investigation shows a contradiction to Quarry operating procedure and regulations.”
Uboh added that further investigation is ongoing and stressed that the sanctions would be enforced fully: “We will continue with our investigations, and the facility will definitely be sanctioned in line with the National Environmental (Quarry and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.”
NESREA noted that poorly regulated quarry blasting poses severe risks, especially in urban and peri-urban communities where schools, homes, and shops are situated close to mining sites.
The agency said the incident underscores the need for strict adherence to environmental and safety standards to safeguard lives and property.
