Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed grief over the tragic mining site incident in Zamfara State, stressing the need to place greater value on the lives of Nigerians.

In a post shared on his verified X handle on Sunday, Obi reacted to the disaster at the Kadauri mining site in Maru Local Government Area, where several people were feared dead.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident at the Kadauri mining site in Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State, where lives were lost. My heartfelt prayers and condolences go to the bereaved families and to the good people of Zamfara at this difficult time,” Obi wrote.

He commended Governor Dauda Lawal and state rescue teams for their response so far but stressed that more must be done to secure Nigeria’s mining industry.

“The lives of our citizens must remain our most valuable resource and must be protected at all costs. The safety and transparency of operations of our mining sites must be prioritised so that tragedies like this are prevented in the future,” he added.

Obi also underscored the importance of stricter regulation in the solid minerals sector, advocating global safety standards, effective licensing, and well-equipped rapid response systems to mitigate risks.

The former presidential candidate prayed for more survivors to be rescued alive and for the souls of the departed to rest in peace.