The Kebbi State Government has commiserated with the management and staff of NIA-AGRI over the partial collapse of a section of its rice mill in Birnin Kebbi.

The Deputy Governor, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, led a high-powered government delegation on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the facility on Wednesday to ascertain the extent of the damage and monitor ongoing rescue efforts.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, claimed at least one life, while five other persons were still trapped under the rubble as of press time.

The structural failure reportedly occurred at about 2:00 a.m., prompting an immediate emergency response.

A combined team of the State Fire Service and other government emergency response agencies had since been engaged in intensive rescue operations at the site.

Speaking during the visit, Mr Abubakar-Tafida expressed the state government’s deep condolences to the management of NIA-AGRI and the families of the affected victims.

“We are here to commiserate with the management of NIA-AGRI and to demonstrate the state government’s solidarity at this difficult time.

”Our 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 said.

Mr Abubakar-Tafida said the cause of the collapse had yet to be determined, adding that a full investigation would be carried out after the conclusion of the rescue exercise.

The deputy governor assured that the Kebbi State government would continue to support the rescue operation until all trapped persons were accounted for. 

(NAN)