One Dead, Five Trapped After Kebbi Rice Mill Collapse

A section of a private rice mill collapsed in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday evening, leaving one worker dead and five others trapped under debris, emergency officials have confirmed.

Rescue operations continued into the night, with teams from the Kebbi State Fire Service and other responders using heavy-duty equipment to cut through the rubble in a delicate search for survivors.

Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, led a government delegation to the scene to assess the situation. He assured the public that all efforts are being made to rescue those still trapped.

“The safety of workers is paramount, and the government will remain fully engaged until this operation is concluded,” Tafida stated, extending the state’s sympathy to the management and staff of the affected company, NIA-AGRi.

An on-site project engineer reported that one staff member died instantly, while five are believed to be trapped. Emergency officials noted the operation is being conducted cautiously to avoid causing further harm.

The cause of the collapse is not yet known. Deputy Governor Tafida said a full investigation would be launched after the rescue mission to determine what happened and prevent future occurrences.

Rice milling is a key part of Kebbi State’s agro-industrial economy, employing hundreds across numerous facilities. The incident has prompted concerns over safety standards within the sector.

The deputy governor pledged government support for the affected families and offered condolences to the relatives of the deceased.