Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has donated ₦150 million to the families of Lt Col Umar Farouq, Lt Col Salihu Iliyasu, and Lt Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, who were killed by Boko Haram terrorists in the state.
The gesture, according to a statement by the Senior Technical Assistant to the governor on Print and Digital communication, Abdulrahman Bundi, on Wednesday, was part of the governor’s sustained support to families of fallen heroes and wounded-in-action personnel engaged in counter-insurgency operations across the state.
It reads: “As part of efforts to personally identify with the bereaved families, Governor Zulum, on Wednesday, visited families of the late Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, Lieutenant Colonel Salihu Iliyasu, and Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko.”
The governor had earlier visited the family of late Lt. Col. Salihu Iliyasu in Abuja, where he was received by the deceased’s wives, Na’ima and Rakiya. He expressed his condolences and paid tribute to the officer’s service to the nation
“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Late Iliyasu was a dedicated and committed servant of the nation whose contributions will not be forgotten,” Zulum said.
“He then presented a cheque of ₦50 million to the family,” the statement noted.
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Governor Zulum subsequently travelled to Niger and Kano States, where he presented cheques of ₦50 million each to the families of late Lt. Col. Aliyu Saidu Paiko and late Lt. Col. Umar Farouq.
He commended the slain commanding officers for their gallantry, patriotism, and sacrifices in the ongoing counterinsurgency operations.
He said the governor further announced plans to visit the families of other officers who were killed or missing in action in the ongoing military operations, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to standing by the families of officers and men who paid the ultimate price in defence of the nation.
In addition to military and security personnel, Bundi noted that the governor has also extended assistance to families of volunteer forces killed in action, including scholarship programmes for their orphaned children. “He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased in Aljannatul Firdaus and for God to grant their families the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he added.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Government House, Barrister. Mustapha Ali Busguma, elder stateman Dr. Musa Inuwa Kubo, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele, Engr. Kaka Shettima and Dr Aminu Chiroma.
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