Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N10 million and a house to the family members of fallen Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Babagana Tela, killed by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Tela, otherwise called “Kadau” for his gallantry was the CJTF Commander in Bama, one of the liberated communities in Borno.
He paid the supreme price in an ambush coordinated by the insurgents in June.
The CJTF is a volunteer force famous for using their local understanding of the terrain in Borno, to support the military in the fight against the insurgents.
A statement on Saturday in Maiduguri by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communications and Strategy, Mallam Isa Gusau, said the governor who visited the bereaved family in Bama also approved scholarship for the deceased’s children.
The statement reads in part: “The governor directed the release of N10 million for the upkeep of the family over a period of time. He directed them to open an account with joint signatories, to which the money would be credited.
“Zulum also directed that a house worth another N10 million be purchased for Kadau’s bereaved family so that they should stop paying rent.
“Zulum further directed that children of the late commander be awarded state government’s scholarship throughout their education.
“The governor described the gesture as ‘small reward’ for his contributions towards peace restoration in Bama, Borno and Nigeria at at large”.
He added that the governor also donated money, food items and textile materials to 683 volunteers engaged in the counter-insurgency operation in the area. (NAN)