Governor Zulum donates House, N20 million to the orphans, widow of Late Col Bako

By Madu Mohammed,, Maiduguri

The body of the Late Col Dahiru Chiroma Bako an Army commander who sustained injury in a Boko Haram ambush in Borno and later died at a military Hospital at the Maimalari Army hospital, Maiduguri has been laid to rest at the Maimalari Military cemetery, Maiduguri on Tuesday amidst tears .

The Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum and the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt General Tukur Buarai along other dignitaries attended the burial in Maiduguri.

While paying glowing tribute to the Late Army Commander during funeral rites, Governor Babagana Zulum announced a donation of a befitting house and 20 million Naira to the widow and orphans left behind by late Col. Dahiru Chiroma Bako who died from wounds sustained while battling boko haram. Insurgents ambushed the Commander’s troop on Sunday morning.

The governor said “I am reliably informed that Col. Bako did not have a house of his own. We cannot ignore the family he left behind. We share their grief and nothing can equal his life. Nevertheless, I am pleased to announce that Borno State Government will build a befitting house for the family of late Col. Bako. I was also told that the Nigerian Army under the distinguished leadership of Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has offered a scholarship to his children, we will also support the family to compliment the efforts of the military.”

Governor Zulum described Col. Bako, as a fallen warrior, was Commander of 25 Task Force Brigade of Operation Lafiya Dole in charge of Damboa and surrounding axis in southern Borno. He died at a military hospital in Maiduguri on Monday.

He said “Indeed it is a very sad moment, this is not a loss to the family of Late Col. Dahiru Chiroma Bako alone, not to the Nigerian Military, it is a loss to Borno and indeed Nigeria.. Col. Bako was a gallant and dodged military officer, under whose watch Damboa was never defeated. He humble and committed in discharging his duties, he is part of the success recorded in degrading boko haram insurgency in Borno State.”

“He has been one of the greatest in trying to stabilize not only Borno but even the neighbouring Yobe State. We will remember his contributions forever, may almighty Allah reward him, and forgive him.. To his family may they bear this irreparable lost. To all the soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Military that lost their lives, may Almighty Allah reward and forgive them. The injured ones we pray for their quck recovery.”

“For the welfare of his family, Borno State Government will relase the sum of 20 million as support for them. A cheque to the effect will be ready later today or tomorrow morning” Zulum said.

It could be recalled the Nigerian Army in statement issued by the spokesman ,of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Ado Isa who announced the sudden death of the gallant officer said. “Operation LAFIYA DOLE wishes to intimate the general public of the demise of one of our gallant and finest war heroes Col DC Bako.”.

The statement further said that “the professional, gallant senior officer who always led from the front and a patriotic Nigerian, led a patrol to clear Boko Haram Terrorists from Sabon Gari-Wajiroko axis near Damboa when his patrol team entered an ambush at about 10 a.m Sunday 20 September 2020. Under his able leadership, the troops cleared the ambush resulting to the killing of scores of terrorists and recovery of weapons and equipment,”

The Army said “Sadly however, he was wounded in action and immediately evacuated by the Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE to the 7 Division Hospital at Maimalari Cantonment. The late senior officer was recuperating well after successful operation at the hospital, in good spirit and also said his prayers in the early hours of this morning before his sad passing on at the hospital. May Almighty Allah grant his soul eternal rest. Ameen. “

While comesurating with the bereaved family, the troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole,, the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai on behalf of himself, gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and indeed well meaning Nigerians said the Army will sponsor the education of the family of the deceased.

“We are most grateful for his contributions and sacrifices to the mother land. May God grant eternal rest to the gentle soul of Col DC Bako and the souls of all Nigerian Army officers and soldiers who paid the supreme prize in the defence of our fatherland,” General Buratai said.