Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — A deadly structural collapse at a rice mill in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, has claimed the life of one worker and left five others trapped under the rubble, authorities and eyewitnesses confirmed on Wednesday. Emergency response teams were engaged in a desperate rescue mission as officials vowed full support until all victims are accounted for.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, when a section of the NIA-AGRI rice mill facility unexpectedly gave way, burying several employees beneath metal debris and structural wreckage. The collapse took place in the early hours of the morning, and the exact cause of the failure remains unknown as rescue efforts continue.
As news of the tragedy spread, the Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, led a high-powered government delegation to the scene to assess the extent of the damage and oversee the emergency response. Officials were briefed by the facility’s project engineer, who confirmed one fatality and the ongoing entrapment of five individuals beneath the collapsed section. Search and rescue teams from the Kebbi State Fire Service and Government Emergency Response units have been at the site, working tirelessly amid unstable conditions to locate and extricate those trapped.
The identity and ages of the victims have not yet been released, and authorities have cautioned that the situation remains fluid as crews dig through twisted metal and concrete. According to the deputy governor, a full investigation into the cause of the collapse will be launched once rescue operations are completed, although the priority at present remains the safe recovery of the trapped workers.
The Kebbi State Government has expressed its deep sorrow and condolences to the family of the deceased worker, as well as to the management and other employees of the rice mill. Officials emphasised that all necessary support, including logistical and medical resources, is being provided to facilitate rescue efforts and to ensure that those affected receive urgent help where needed.
Local emergency responders and workers have faced significant challenges due to the scale and instability of the collapsed structure, with heavy equipment and trained personnel deployed to carefully work through the debris. In addition to the immediate rescue mission, authorities are preparing for further responses should more victims be found or require medical attention.
The partial collapse has sparked renewed concerns about industrial safety and structural integrity standards in commercial facilities, particularly where large industrial operations intersect with densely populated areas. While reasons for the incident are still undetermined, analysts and safety advocates have called for rigorous enforcement of building codes and regular inspections to prevent similar tragedies.
Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, is an important hub for agricultural processing, especially in rice production, which is a key part of the state’s economy and Nigeria’s broader food supply chain. The disruption caused by the mill’s collapse has sent shockwaves through the local community, which is now anxiously awaiting updates on the trapped workers’ condition and the outcome of rescue operations.
As of this report, no official timeline has been provided for when the rescue teams expect to complete their mission, and relatives of the trapped workers are said to be at the site, waiting anxiously for news. Residents and officials alike are urging calm and cooperation, while emergency crews press on in hopes of bringing the five workers out safely.
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