Jigawa Inferno: Mourning the Loss, Learning from the Tragedy, by Abdulkadir Salaudeen

It was flood calamity some weeks ago in Maiduguri. The overwhelming nature of Maiduguri flood makes it seem as if other states did not have their own share of flood. For the record, Jigawa State is one of the states in the federation that regularly experiences flood during raining season with its destructive effects. While this hardly makes the news headline, the recent inferno did make the headline. Wednesday was a terrible day in Jigawa State—a day of great mourning. May the State not experience such a day again in its nearest and furthest future.

Majiya is not only serene and greeny but a very peaceful town (some call it village) which I occasionally  passed through during my several travels to eastern part of the North. The town is not a wailful town. It even became site of attraction to beholders when a university—with massive structures—was mounted fittingly by the roadside by one of its sons. We were told by some locals that the university was built by one of the prominent sons of the town and named “Khadija University Majia” to honor his mother and the town. I hope the admirable name of the university will be retained now that ownership has been transferred to the Jigawa State government.

However, unfortunately, Majiya suddenly wailed and it is still wailing when calamity stroke it on Wednesday. People of the town are counting their loss—in humans—following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker which, at one stroke, reportedly led to the death of at least 153 people. Others victims who sustained life-threatening injuries were rushed to Ringim General Hospital and Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kudu where doctors, nurses, and other health workers are currently struggling to save their lives. This calamity is too enormous to bear!

I am just imagining the ripple effects of this loss. Many breadwinners were gone living many dependents without bread. Many have lost their beloved ones to the implacable rage of fire. Families of the injured ones whose resources are already drained are now on rescue mission. They would have to start looking for money to rescue the rescuable among the injured. It is safe to say there are debtors among those who lost their lives in this unfortunate inferno due to Nigerian battered economy which has virtually made everyone a debtor. Their creditors would have to mourn and mourn. They would have to mourn the death of their debtors and the debts that are most likely written off as bad debts.

President Tinubu, his Vice-President Shettima, governors and many other politicians have expressed grief over the onslaught by our common enemy (fire). While their expression of grief is comforting to the victims and thus commendable, they should please go beyond that. They should console these victims not only with words of mouth but with monetary and other material supports. Though their several kind interventions towards assisting flood victims in Maiduguri is very recent for which they were commended, Majiya victims also deserve such gesture and even more. This is also the right time for the well-to-do among Nigerians to display their generosity in a show of sympathy towards these inferno victims.

That said, should I say Nigerians still need serious enlightenment on how inflammable petroleum products are, especially fuel? Or could it be just that we believe making money is worth taking the risk even if it were to be taken from the lion’s mouth? Several reports that we read revealed that the tanker driver which caused the inferno was said to have lost control, fell, and spilled its content which entered through the drainage to the outskirts of the village. Shockingly, rather than run for safety, villagers attempted to scoop petrol (which is now precious like gold) from the drainage (despite police warning). This resulted in a raging flame that unfortunately engulfed the area. This does not speak well of enlightened and/or reasonable citizens who should value life.

The federal government swiftly announced immediate intervention. It also called for a comprehensive review of fuel transportation safety protocols across Nigeria. This is long overdue. The fact that tankers are still being used to transport highly inflammable materials like fuel across states of the federation, despite the bad conditions of our roads and numerous fatal accidents, underscores the Nigerian government alarming disregard for lives and property of its citizens.

Well, it is better late than never. The federal government should make its promise to review fuel transportation safety protocols a solemn one to avoid future tragedies.

I join other well-meaning Nigerians in condoling families and friends of victims, particularly the Jigawa State Governor who, as I write, stands as a father figure to all of those he was elected to serve in the state. I pray that he leaves office as responsible and caring father.

May the Almighty grant the injured ones quick recovery and forgive the deceased.

Abdulkadir Salaudeen

salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com