The family of a six-year-old boy, Kao, killed by a stone from a quarry centre in Abuja, said the Chinese company, Dai Jin Investment Limited, paid N4 million as compensation and damages for the loss of their child.
Murtala Maiangwa, the head (Sarki) of the Fulani Community in Aco Estate, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES during a visit to the family of the boy.
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Mr Mainagwa said the company paid a total of N4.3 million, stating that while the deceased’s family got N4 million, the fulani community was paid N300,000.
“They (company) gave N4.3 million to the family, N4million to the father and mother for the loss of their child, and N300,000 to the kingdom,” he said.
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Narrating how Kao, the youngest child of a Fulani herder family, died, Abubakar, a relation, said the lad was playing with other children under a mango tree when he was hit on the head by a stone from the company nearby at about 2 p.m. on 27 February.
He said the stone struck the boy on the head, pulling out his brain, leading to his death immediately.
“Kao and others were playing under the tree (the mango tree is just a few miles away from where the quarry operates when they blasted without any warning or alarm. He and others were running towards the house when the stone hit him. We found his body and the brain separated,” Abubakar, a member of the family, said.
He said the family, comprising the father, mother, and four children, has been living in the area for about 15 years.
However, after the tragic incident, the family moved away from the area.
“The father said he could not stand to remain in the area anymore because it would bring back the memory of his son”, Mr Mainagwa said.
Safety concerns
Other relatives and neighbours around the compound further expressed safety concerns to this newspaper.
A resident, who did not give her name, urged the government to intervene in the matter.
“The thing was supposed to kill two children, but the other survived. We have always been afraid of this issue. They should help us. At least, if they cannot stop, they should pay us for our properties so that we can go to another place,” she said.
Company mute
PREMIUM TIMES could not speak with any official of the company on the incident or confirm the payment of the compensation.
An official, a Chinese, who gave his name as Sunday, turned down a request for comment.
FCTA too
Efforts to speak with the Federal Capital Territory authorities were not successful.
Officials of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) approached by this newspaper said they would not speak because of fear of being misquoted.
“No one will want to look for the trouble of the minister (Nyesom Wike). So, we can’t be quoted on this. But I will advise that you write to the minister and from there we can take it up,” one of the staff members, who asked not to be mentioned, told the newspaper in a phone conversation.
However, another official, who does not want to be quoted, said Dai Jin had not been licensed to operate
“They have not been licensed for a while now, or even come to do it. Our role is to supervise, and we only receive directives to do that,” the source said.
Residents’ protest
After the tragic incident, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) reportedly sealed the site, while the FCT Police commenced an investigation.
However, by 4 March, when this newspaper visited the area, it was discovered that the company had resumed operations.
Residents of Aco Estate have repeatedly accused Dai Jin of environmental violations in the area.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported the deadly activities of quarries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), despite clear provisions in the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations.
The report indicated that Dai Jin was one of the industries found culpable for the violations.
The recent sealing of the company was not the first. For instance, it was sealed after the residents of the estate protested the incident of 24 July, 2025.
“They are boasting to us that they have what it takes to remain in the estate for as long as they want. They said they have money to get through any atrocity,” Kingsley Eze, a resident of Aco Estate, said.
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