Governor Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday night, August 31, paid a condolence visit to Pastor Bitrus Tumba whose 28-year–old son Ezekiel, was killed during the altercation between a demolition task force of Borno Geographic Systems, BOGIS, and worshipers at a branch of EYN church in Maiduguri on August 5, 2021.
The Governor was received by the family and some officials of Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, led by the association’s chairman, Bishop Mohammed Naga.
Zulum had on the day of the incident sent Borno’s deputy governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, to meet victims of the incident. The Governor also invited and met with Christian leaders, led by CAN chairman, Bishop Naga, after which he directed the police to thoroughly investigate the incident and report to him.
The Governor assured the family of the deceased of his commitment to ensuring justice as soon as the Nigerian Police completes ongoing investigation which he directed must be thorough.
“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. We share your pains. 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. Although, I had sent people to you, I was morally and officially duty bound to visit your family. Please accept our deepest condolences.” he added.
Zulum was also accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Isa Marte Hussaini, and one of his commissioners from the christian community.
Responding on his family’s behalf, Pastor Bitrus Tumba expressed appreciation to the governor for the visit and said, he considered Ezekiel’s death as an act of God which the family accepts in good faith.
Pastor Bitrus added that everyone dies in a different way, and God has destined Ezekiel to die from gunshot which no one could have stopped.
“Whatever we do, we cannot bring the dead back to life; as true Christians we have accepted it in good faith. Your Excellency we express our appreciation to you for the visit, I have followed all your efforts on the death of our son, and they show your concern and the fact that you did not forget us, we really appreciate you”, Pastor Bitrus said.
