NESREA Seals Abuja Quarry After Death Of 10-Year-Old

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down Dai Jin Jia Quarry located in ACO Village along Airport Road, Abuja, following the tragic death of a 10-year-old boy during a blasting operation.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, February 27, 2026, prompted immediate intervention by the agency after it received reports of the fatality linked to activities at the quarry site.

Addressing journalists, the Director of Environmental Quality Control, Mr. Elijah Udofia, who spoke on behalf of the Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, described the development as deeply troubling.

He revealed that the facility had previously been sealed by NESREA last year for regulatory breaches, but allegedly continued operations in defiance of enforcement directives.

According to him, the agency’s preliminary investigation—conducted alongside officers from the ACO Division of the Nigeria Police—uncovered serious regulatory violations.

He stated that the quarry failed to present a documented Blasting Operation Plan and could not provide records of its Charge Load Density (CLD), which details the quantity of explosives used during blasting.

These lapses, he noted, constitute violations of Regulation 23 of the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations, 2013.

Udofia further disclosed that the facility’s warning alarm system, which is required to alert surrounding residents before blasting activities, was found to be faulty at the time of inspection. He emphasized that the absence of such a critical safety measure may have contributed to the tragic outcome.

“It is distressing that despite prior warnings and enforcement actions, the company continued operations in ways that endanger lives and contravene national environmental laws,” he said, adding that the quarry has now been sealed again pending the outcome of a full investigation.

NESREA assured the public that all responsible parties would be held accountable in accordance with the law. The agency also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding host communities and ensuring strict compliance with environmental standards across the country.

The enforcement body called on operators within the quarrying sector and other industries to strictly adhere to national environmental regulations, warning that negligence and non-compliance will attract decisive sanctions.