At least 11 students and 2 staff members of Graceland High School in Dutse, Abuja, were injured when a blast from Cornerstone Quarry, operated by Istanbul Quarry, sent flying rocks into classrooms, damaging school property and nearby shops.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) swiftly intervened, ordering the immediate closure of the quarry after preliminary investigations revealed serious violations of the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations, 2013. The shutdown and related actions were confirmed in a statement issued by Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press.
Deputy Director of Conservation Monitoring, Glory Uboh, explained the agency’s action: “What happened is life-threatening, which is why we acted immediately to seal the facility. Our preliminary investigation shows that Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, breached established quarrying procedures. The facility will face sanctions, and investigations are ongoing in line with the regulations.”
