From Timothy Olanrewaju Maiduguri
Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum has visited the family of the young man killed during a face-off that ensured between some residents and state officials while demolishing a church in Maiduguri.
Zulum on Tuesday night arrived the house of Pastor Bitrus Tumba, father of 29 years old, Ezekiel Tumba killed on August 5 while officials of Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS), carried out domolition exercise on Ekklesiyah Yan’uwa Nigeria (EYN – Church of Brethren in Nigeria).
A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman to the governor, Malam Isa Gusau, said Gov Zulum was received by the family and state Chairman of Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Naga Mohammed with some officials.
He said the governor had, during the visit, assured the family of the deceased of government’s resolve to ensure justice is done on the incident.
“So far, suspects have been quietly arrested and all those involved in that dastardly act are being detained and God willing, they will face justice, as soon as the Police completes investigation and make appropriate recommendations. We shall do justice to the matter without fear or favour,” he assured .
Zulum said he shared the pains of Ezekiel famiky. “No exercise of government is ever aimed to cause injury let alone the death of any citizen. Every person in Borno has equal rights and we have a duty to protect the rights of all persons, top of which is the security of lives. We are pained by what happened and we condole you and your family,” the governor said.
Father of the deceased, Pastor Bitrus Tumba thanked the governor for the visit..He said, he considered Ezekiel’s death as an act of God accepted by the family in good faith.
“Whatever we do, we cannot bring the dead back to life. As true Christians, we have accepted it in good faith,” he said.
The governor had on August 5, scheduled to visit the family hours after the incident but the proposed visit was halted following increasing tension and protects by youths in the area. He also met CAN officials later on the day, the governor spokesman explained.