Mallam Habila Maimako Kaura is the head of Diko community where a recent tanker fire claimed over 100 lives. Mallam Kaura speaks with ADELOWO OLADIPO on how the community has been coping since the tragic incident and how they want government and Nigerians to assist the victims, particularly the youth of the community who are mostly jobless.
As the head of Diko community, what is the situation now after the terrible tanker fire incident?
My name is Habila Maimako Kaura, the village head of Diko community in Gurara LGA of Niger State. The incident that happened on Saturday the 18th of January 2025 was indeed a very terrible one. I was away from the town to Gawu Babangida the headquarters of Gurara Local Government Area because the state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, was coming to Gurara Local Government and I went there. It was while we were waiting for him over there that I heard that something had happened at home. So, I could not come back home until the governor left Gawu Babangida. I called the councilor of my Ward, Mr Edward John, immediately I returned from Gawu Babangida. It was the councillor that briefed me about the incident and how it actually happened. And he is there now. In fact, the number of those that lost their lives in the incident is now well over 100 and some other people are still battling with their lives in the hospitals where they are receiving medical treatment… This type of tragedy has never happened to Diko community. The unfortunate incident has caused sorrow and pain to residents in the people, including myself. I have not been myself since the tragic incident. So, we are yet to recover from what happened; we are all still nursing our sorrows and we are praying that such a terrible thing should never happen again in this village. So, that is what I can tell you for now except if you still want to ask me further questions.
We learnt that some Nigerian leaders have been coming to the community to pay condolence visits in order to commiserate with you, the village head, and families of the deceased and to wish those who are still on the hospital beds for treatment. What exactly have been their messages to the community?
Well, actually, on Monday, [the day after the incident] the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other officials came to Diko, sympathising with us and they gave some relief materials which included drugs, food items and other things. On Tuesday, of the following day, our senator, and our House of Representatives members came to Diko to sympathise with us and we were together with them in the house of the he District Head. They spoke to the people and warned them that in the event of such an incident in future, we should not go near it again because that was what led to the death of many of the villagers. Part of the reasons the incident claimed many lives is also because that Saturday was the market day. Traders came from adjoining communities, making the area to be very busy. Some of these traders were among those who died; though some other people died due to the fact they were scooping fuel from the tanker. The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, also visited me and was in my palace for over an hour. He sympathised with us and we prayed with him that what happened to us in the village will not happen again. We are appealing to such Nigerian dignitaries as well as other well-meaning Nigerians and even non-governmental organisations that they should, please, assist us. They should help our youths because our youths are in need of jobs. One reason for that tragedy is joblessness. Our youth are battling with poverty and other things. That is why some of them got involved in scooping fuel from the fallen tanker.
Specifically, sir, how do you want these prominent individuals or wealthy Nigerians, private organisations, and NGOs to help the youth of the village?
We want them to assist our youths by training them on skills acquisition, assisting them to get jobs, and so many other things that can keep them busy. I believe that they will do it because when you are having your own business or jobs, you won’t go for this type of things like scooping fuel from the ground into containers for sale in the black market. So, that is our appeal.
What advice do you have for your subjects, particularly youths in the community?
Well, my advice to them is that whenever this type of thing happens, they should desist from going near it or attempt to scoop the content. They should not go near petrol or any inflammable materials because it is not good. It is even very bad when you see that someone has lost his property [the fallen tanker with spilled content] and all you can think about is going to steal it, because that is nothing but stealing. They should desist henceforth from doing that in this community.
What do you think should be the penalty for those who refuse to listen to your advice as the leader of the community?
Well, a penalty is a penalty and it has happened already. But we are praying that people should not go near the place whenever such an incident happens again. We have already prayed against a recurrence of such a tragic incident here in Diko again.
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