Gov. Mohammed To Zulum: Terrorists Faded From North-East Owing To Your Doggedness

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed has said that states in the North-East sub-region are now enjoying relative peace especially attacks from the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists group as a result of the untiring efforts and political will of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State which led to the evaporation of the insurgents.

Mohammed, who stated this when he received Zulum, who paid him a condolence visit over the death of his elder brother, Bappa Mohammed Duguri, said the determination of the Borno State Governor in dealing with the terrorists in the last three years has returned normal life not only to the State but all the states in the sub-region.

He noted that the militants have been decimated and restricted to just a small area thereby making their criminal activities difficult.

Mohammed eulogized Zulum for his leadership style, which restored peace to the troubled North-East state of Borno saying, “Though I am Kauran Bauchi, a fearless warrior but you are the real Kaura because of your actions against insecurity.

“I have worked closely with you, you are a young man, the youngest but the oldest among us. No wonder, you are our Chairman of North-East Governors’ Forum, where you look at all the developmental challenges of the North-East and indeed the country.

“You have really shown pedigree and leadership. I didn’t know you were coming (to Bauchi). That is the leadership style you are showing in Borno and in Nigeria.

“The courage you have, we try to emulate a little. You dare all the miscreants and the charlatans that are bombarding us. Today, even Mr. President has the pride of being associated with you. You are the most visited person by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That speaks volumes.

“Boko Haram has evaporated and we are trying very hard to make sure that we secure our jurisdiction after you have secured the epicenter of terrorism and violence,” he said.

Mohammed further said; “When I wanted to contest for the presidency to make sure that the North-East had a the leadership of this country, I asked this gentleman, ‘are you running? If you are running, I don’t have to run, because I know that you will do it better than me and still, I have that respect for him. I have done my own, maybe he will come and follow after us.

“Today, we have a presidential candidate and a vice presidential candidate. He is one upcoming hero and a person we respect immensely as a zone and the country,” he said.

Also speaking, a member of the deceased family who spoke on behalf of others commended the efforts of Governor Zulum which he noted brought peace to Bauchi state.

According to him, “Today, we have over 1.5 million people in Bauchi for the annual religious pilgrimage of celebration of the Maulud Nabil of Prophet Muhammad. This happened because there was no more fear of Boko Haram attacks. We thank you for that”.

Speaking during the condolence visit, Governor Zulum said that he was in Bauchi with his delegation to commiserate with the Governor, his family and the entire state government over the unfortunate incident of the death of his elder brother.

He said; “On behalf of the government and the good people of Borno state as well as my family, I commiserate with you, I condole you over the demise of your elder brother.

“May the Almighty Allah in his infinite wisdom forgive and admit him in Jannatu Firdaus and may He give the governor, his entire family, and the people of Bauchi state the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“Unfortunately, the death occurred when I was abroad and I wasn’t in the picture. When I was told about the incident, I said I and the governor are brothers and nothing would happen to him that I would not come and sympathize with him,” he said.

Prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of the late Bappa Mohammed Duguri by religious leaders from Borno and Bauchi States.

Governor Mohammed’s elder brother, late Bappa Mohammed Duguri who was also Yeriman Duguri, died recently at the age of 69 at a Turkish Hospital in Turkey after a prolonged illness.

Until his death, the deceased served as a Deputy Director with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before his retirement about ten years ago.