Babagana Zulum, Borno State governor, says security operatives have arrested the killer of the son of pastor Bitrus Tumba during the demolition of a branch of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), in Maiduguri by Borno Geographic Systems (BOGIS).
Zulum disclosed this on Tuesday, when he visited Tumba whose son was killed during the incident.
Some members of the church had attempted to stop BOGIS from demolishing the worship centre on August 5, 2021.
The resulting violence between the church members and task force who accompanied personnel of the agency, led to the death of the pastor’s son, while five others were injured.
“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 complete their investigation and make appropriate recommendations,” Zulum said.
“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.”
The governor explained that his visit is proof that his government has not forgotten the issue.
He assured the family of the deceased that justice will prevail as soon as the police complete investigations.
While responding on behalf of his family’s behalf, the pastor thanked the governor for the visit and said he considered Ezekiel’s death as an act of God which the family has accepted in good faith.
Tumba added that everyone dies in a different way, and God has destined Ezekiel to die from a 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,” he stated.
Before the visit, the governor had on the day of the incident sent his deputy, Umar Usman Kadafur, to meet the victims.
He also met with Christian leaders, led by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman in Borno, Bishop Mohammed Naga, after which he directed the police to investigate the incident and report to him.
