Governor Babagana Zulum was at the state specialist hospital in Maiduguri on Monday to console policemen and civilian JTF volunteers injured from ambush by Boko Haram fighters while on their way to Baga as his security backup.
One policeman and seven CJTF members were brought to the state specialist hospital on Sunday, five have been treated and discharged, while remaining three were responding to treatment for injuries sustained from gunshots.
Zulum also met with families of the personnel at headquarters of Borno State Police Command in Maiduguri where the bereaved families gathered to receive him.
The governor expressed sadness over the incident, said the security operatives died as heroes.
“I am purposely here to sympathise and condole with you our brothers and sisters the families of our deceased policemen. It is very unfortunate that the incident happened. May Almighty God in his infinite mercy forgive and reward them for their sacrifices and may He grant you the strength to bear the fortitude of this huge loss.
“It is so sad, looking at what happened. It is quite unfortunate and I am pained by that incident. However, those men died as heroes, as patriots and as people that have brought honour to their families even though we never wished that it happened”, Zulum said.
“Government will not publicly announce the nature of support, so that it does not appear as if the support equalled the values of the lives of those killed. Nothing can compensate for the life of a human being. Insha Allah, we shall do everything possible to support the families.
“The education of their children is very important in addition to the support for their means of livelihood. I want to once again sympathize with the families on behalf of the grateful people of Borno State. I condole with the Borno state police command, the CP, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and entire Nigerians over the sad moment.”
