A section of a private rice mill in Birnin Kebbi metropolis has collapsed, resulting in the death of one staff member, while five others were trapped beneath the metal debris of the facility.
As at the time the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State visited the scene, rescue operations were still underway to save the five trapped workers.
The Kebbi State Government has expressed deep condolences to the management and employees of NIA-AGRI following the partial collapse of the rice mill in the state capital.
Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, led a high-powered delegation on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the facility on Tuesday evening. He explained that the visit was to evaluate the level of damage and monitor the ongoing emergency response.
During the visit, the delegation was briefed by the Project Engineer, who confirmed that the incident had claimed at least one life. It was also disclosed that five persons were still trapped under the rubble at the time, with intensive rescue efforts in progress.
A joint team comprising the State Fire Service and Government Emergency Response personnel has been working continuously to locate and rescue the trapped victims.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been established. The Deputy Governor stated that a comprehensive investigation would commence after the rescue operation is concluded.
The Kebbi State Government has assured that it will continue to support the rescue efforts until all affected individuals are fully accounted for.