By Abbas Nazil
Officials of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have shut down Cornerstone, a quarry managed by Istanbul Quarry in the Dutse area of Abuja, after a blasting operation sent rocks flying into a nearby school and left several students and staff injured.
The closure followed a disturbing incident on Wednesday when Graceland High School was struck by flying debris during what appeared to be an unsafe quarry blast.
According to NESREA’s preliminary findings, the students were in their classrooms writing examinations at about 12:30 p.m. when they heard a loud explosion and were immediately hit by flying rocks that tore through the school buildings.
A total of 11 students and two staff members sustained varying degrees of injury, prompting immediate concern from both parents and the authorities.
The impact of the blast extended beyond the school premises, as nearby shops were also damaged by the force and debris from the explosion.
Deputy Director of Conservation Monitoring at NESREA, Glory Uboh, confirmed that the agency acted promptly to seal off the quarry after determining that its activities violated safety and environmental regulations.
She stated that the quarry’s operations were inconsistent with the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013, which outline strict procedures for blasting to ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
Uboh emphasized that the magnitude of the incident and the risk posed to human lives necessitated the agency’s swift enforcement action, noting that the preliminary investigation already revealed significant contradictions to required quarry operating procedures.
NESREA officials disclosed that sanctions would be imposed on the management of Cornerstone for breaching national environmental standards and putting schoolchildren, staff, and nearby residents in harm’s way.
The agency also confirmed that further investigations would continue to determine the full extent of negligence and any additional regulatory breaches committed by the quarry operators.
Residents of the Dutse area expressed shock and fear over the incident, stressing that quarry explosions in the vicinity had been a longstanding concern, but Wednesday’s blast was the most alarming due to its direct impact on a school.
Parents of the injured students rushed to the school after receiving distress calls, with many demanding immediate government intervention to prevent future occurrences.
Emergency responders and school authorities worked together to evacuate affected students, assess the damage, and provide initial medical attention before moving the seriously injured to nearby hospitals.
The school’s management described the incident as traumatizing, noting that examinations were disrupted and several buildings suffered structural damage that would require urgent repair.
The NESREA shutdown marks an important step in enforcing environmental laws aimed at protecting communities from harmful industrial practices, especially in densely populated areas where improper quarry operations pose significant risks.
As investigations proceed, the agency reiterated its commitment to applying the full weight of the law to ensure accountability and to deter other operators from engaging in unsafe blasting practices.
The incident has reignited debate about the proximity of quarry sites to residential and educational facilities, with environmental advocates calling for stricter zoning regulations and more frequent monitoring of quarry operations nationwide.
