Stop playing politics with abduction of Dr Bulama, Zowo warns politicians

 AHMED MARI, Maiduguri

The Chairman of Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, Alhaji, Bukar Sulum Zowo , has called on politicians to stop playing politics with the unfortunate abduction of Dr. Gaidam Buluma and the security situation of the council and the state at large.

It would be recalled that a few days ago members of the Boko Haram insurgents stormed the headquarters of Gubio Local Government Area and abducted, Dr. Bulama, the only existing Principal Medical Officer, PMO, and Medical Doctor at Gubio General Hospital.

Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri at the weekend, the chairman of the council, Hon.  Zowo, said: “I call on those who want to capitalise on the unfortunate security situation in our dear local government and the state, in general, to desist from playing politics with people’s lives as the present administration under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum is doing everything possible to ensure lasting peace is restored to Gubio and the state at large.”

“The issue of Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks did not start in the last two years when I assumed office, it is on record that killings, abduction, and destruction of property were at a higher rate in Gubio before I became the elected Chairman, and so, it is very unfortunate that some people were making unsubstantiated claims in the mainstream and social media that we are not doing enough to safeguard lives and property in Gubio. This is sabotage, but we will never derail in our quest to better the lives of our citizenry”, he stressed.

Last  Wednesday, armed members of ISWAP invaded the residence of Dr Bulama situated in the heart of the town at about 2 am and kidnapped the victim in the presence of his wife and children without confrontation, a situation that some residents including one who gave his name as Mohammed Usman Shettima, condemned and attributed it to lack of proper attention and support given to security operatives, men of Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF/ hunters/Vigilantes by the present administration of the Chairman, Hon Zowo.

The chairman sympathized with the families of Dr Bulama and solicited for prayers and support from all and sundry towards rescuing the PMO and all those who were in the captivity of Boko Haram/ISWAP.

Zowo also assured that the Council under his leadership is collaborating and leaving no stone unturned with security agencies as well as other volunteers to ensure safe return of the Medical Doctor.

He lamented that before he assumed office, the issue of Boko Haram attacks, killings, abduction, and destruction of property was at a higher rate in Gubio, where 70 lives were lost in a single attack, including the killing of the CJTF chairman, Secretary, with an Accounting Officer at Local Education Authority, LEA.

He, however, said, since he assumed office, Gubio town and its environs have been living peacefully in the last two years, if not because of the recent incident that led to the kidnap of Dr. Bulama.

He further stated that with the support from Governor Zulum, the council provides diesel, Premium Motor Spirit/petrol, and incentives to security agencies on monthly basis, which CJTF and Vigilantes got their shares directly from the security operatives.

He, therefore, expressed regret that one Mohammed Usman Shettima, who claimed to be a concerned resident of Gubio, refused to make his full identity known, or which District/Ward he represents in Gubio, but only to come out in the media and wrongly castigate or make unsubstantiated claims against the present administration that ‘it has failed in providing logistics to men of CJTF/Vigilantes complementing efforts of troops in Gubio’.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Gubio, I want to sympathize with the families of Dr. Gaidam Bulama, who was abducted last Wednesday at his residence by terrorists who invaded the town.  I want to reassure that Government and security agencies are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safe return of our only existing PMO.

“With the unflinching support from Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the council will continue to provide diesel, Premium Motor Spirit/petrol, and incentives to security agencies on monthly basis. The CJTF and Vigilantes get their shares directly from the security operatives defeat insurgents”, Hon Zowo assured.

Flor a better society