BIRNIN KEBBI – December 31, 2025: The Kebbi State Government has extended its formal condolences and mobilized a high-level response following the partial structural collapse of a section of the NIA-AGRI rice mill in the state capital. The incident, which underscores critical concerns about industrial safety and infrastructure integrity, has resulted in a tragic loss of life and an ongoing rescue mission.
Led by the Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar-Tafida, a government delegation conducted an urgent on-the-spot assessment of the facility on Wednesday. The visit aimed to evaluate the damage firsthand and coordinate the emergency response efforts, highlighting the state’s immediate priority: the rescue of trapped individuals and support for the affected families and business.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the collapse occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, around 2:00 a.m. The structural failure claimed at least one life, and as of the latest reports, five individuals remained trapped under the rubble. This tragic event brings to the forefront the often-overlooked risks within agricultural processing facilities, which are vital to Nigeria’s food security and economic diversification agenda.
A combined team from the State Fire Service and other emergency management agencies has been engaged in intensive rescue operations since the incident. The complexity of such industrial rescues often involves navigating unstable debris and heavy machinery, requiring specialized equipment and trained personnel.
Speaking at the site, Deputy Governor Abubakar-Tafida expressed the government’s profound sympathy. “We are here to commiserate with the management of NIA-AGRI and to demonstrate the state government’s solidarity at this difficult time,” he stated. “Our paramount priority is to ensure that all those trapped are rescued, and we have directed all relevant agencies to provide maximum support for the ongoing operation.”
He confirmed that the precise cause of the collapse remains undetermined, noting that a full technical investigation will be launched once the rescue phase concludes. Such probes typically examine factors like structural design, construction quality, maintenance records, and potential material fatigue—especially relevant for mills subject to constant vibration from heavy machinery.
Context and Broader Implications:
This incident strikes at the heart of Kebbi State’s agricultural economy. Known as Nigeria’s “Rice Bowl,” Kebbi is a cornerstone of the federal government’s rice production and self-sufficiency drive. Industrial mills like NIA-AGRI are critical links in the value chain, processing paddy from thousands of local farmers. Any disruption not only causes human tragedy but also risks ripple effects on supply chains, farmer incomes, and market stability.
The state government’s swift, high-profile response reflects the facility’s economic importance and a commitment to crisis management. It also opens necessary conversations about enforcing stricter building codes and regular safety audits for agro-industrial plants across Nigeria, which are essential for protecting workers and securing food production infrastructure.
The Deputy Governor assured the public that state support would continue until every trapped person was accounted for, signaling a resolve to manage both the immediate humanitarian crisis and the longer-term implications for industrial safety in the state’s key economic sector.
Reported by Ibrahim Bello for NAN. Edited by Sandra Umeh.
