Yola flood victims urge FG to probe mining company’s role in devastating catastrophe
By News Agency of Nigeria
Flood victims in Yola, Adamawa State, have urged the Federal Government to conduct an independent probe into the alleged role of a mining company whose dam reportedly released excess water during the July 28 disaster.
The incident, which claimed 29 lives, while 11 others are still missing displaced about 4,000 households, and left many residents hospitalised, has sparked mounting anger among survivors and residents.
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Several victims who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) accused the Adamawa State Government of clearing the company of wrongdoing despite what they described as “clear evidence” linking its operations to the flooding.
The victims who claim to have video footage showing torrents of water gushing out of a fabricated mining dam in Bolle, alleged that the massive spillage was the major reason for the catastrophic flood.
Musa Yakubu, one of the affected residents, said efforts to get answers from the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) and the State Ministry of Environment were met with dismissal.
“When we presented our concerns to ADSEMA and the Ministry of Environment, they simply told us the company has no case to answer.
“We want the Federal Ministry of Environment and other relevant bodies to carry out a thorough, independent investigation,” Yakubu stated.
Another victim, identified as Babayola, warned that lack of accountability could inflame hostility towards the company. He linked the flooding to mining-induced terrain destabilisation in Bolle and criticised authorities for ignoring the dangers of unregulated mining.
“This catastrophe shows the consequences of overlooking illegal mining activity.
“The company’s operations have already damaged farmlands and forest reserves. On the day of the flood, security forces had to prevent mob action against the company’s workers,” he noted.
The disaster’s aftermath has also raised public health concerns. Hajara Abubakar, another resident, alleged that the water from the company’s dam contained chemicals used in mining and had contaminated several wards in Yola.
“We are now worried about what this means for our health and the safety of our drinking water,” she said.
Distrust in the state government’s handling of the situation runs deep. Sunday Isaac, another victim, cited previous controversies, such as the distribution of expired relief materials to disaster victims as reasons for skepticism.
“People no longer trust the state government’s statements on this matter. That’s why we insist on a Federal Government-led investigation to remove all doubts about the company’s role,” Isaac noted.
However, the state government has dismissed the accusations. Adamawa State Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Sadiq, defended the company’s activities as lawful and fully compliant with environmental regulations.
“The claim that the company is operating illegally is baseless and a gross misrepresentation of facts. Water is an essential part of mining processes, and the construction of an earth dam is standard practice. The dam’s spillway is designed to safely discharge excess water, and the volume released that day could not have caused flooding on the scale we experienced,” he said.
Sadiq’s remarks have done little to ease tensions. Many victims remain convinced that the mining company’s dam played a role in intensifying the flood, arguing that a transparent investigation is the only way to resolve the matter.
As displaced families struggle to rebuild their lives, the call for justice and accountability continues to grow. For the victims, this is not only about understanding what happened on July 28, but also about preventing future disasters and restoring public trust in disaster response and environmental governance in Adamawa State.
