Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of one Bukar Modu, who was seen allegedly molesting a minor, Bashir Gaji, in a viral video that has sparked outrage on social media.
Security operatives arrested Modu on Saturday night in Umarari, Maiduguri, following the governor’s directive.
Governor Zulum met with the victim, little Bashir Gaji, on Sunday at the Government House in Maiduguri.
During the meeting, the governor condemned the incident in strong terms, saying, “This heinous act is an affront on our values and a betrayal of our duty to protect our children, students and minors who are under our guardianship,”; Zulum said.
“We cannot tolerate such actions perpetually repeating itself. I am directing the relevant authorities to move swiftly and ensure that this individual faces the full extent of the law. Our children deserve a safe environment to grow and become meaningful members of society.”;
He also directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to develop strategies for enhanced community sensitisation.
The aim is to educate families, traditional teachers, and guardians on proper, non-abusive ways of disciplining children.
As part of efforts to support the victim, Governor Zulum announced that the government would provide a fully furnished house for Gaji’s family and also award the child a scholarship to cover his education.
According to reports, the boy and his family currently reside in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Monguno Local Government Area after his father was killed by Boko Haram insurgents.
