Borno Elders Mourn Demise of First ‘Theater Commander, Gen. Abubakar, Pray for G.O.C’s Recovery
The Borno Elders Forum has expressed pains over the demise of Major General Yusha’u Mahmood Abubakar who was the first to serve as ‘Theater Commander’ leading the war against Boko Haram insurgents, following the relocation of the Military’s Command and Control Center to Maiduguri by President Muhammadu Buhari in May, 2015.
The elders described General Abubakar as “a courageous, dedicated, loyal and patriotic Nigerian Soldier” who fought and died trying to rescue Borno from the bondage of terrorism. The forum equally prayed for the speedy recovery of Brigadier General Mohammed Aliyu, acting G.O.C involved in the accident that claimed the life of General Abubakar along Maiduguri-Damaturu way few days ago.
Secretary and spokesman of the forum, Bulama Mali Gubio on behalf of the forum’s chairman, Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, said in a statement issued on Thursday in Maiduguri that to the elders, the death of Gen. Abubakar is a sad one for every true son and daughter of Borno.
“The sudden death of Major General Yusha’u Mahmood Abubakar came to us with the utmost shock. We received the terrible tiding with deep grief and dejection. Yet, death is a necessary end. Our Creator and Sustainer, Allah (SWT) knows why such a courageous, dedicated, loyal and patriotic Nigerian Soldier should go beyond at this crucial time. This is indeed the moment the people of Borno, indeed Nigeria need his services most.
We are indeed berieved. Nigerians need to condole and console us. The late General and his injured colleague did their utmost to fight for our cause, and we believe he died in the line of duty. He died trying to rescue us from the bondage of terrorism. May His gentle and kind soul rest in perfect peace. We wish to condole with Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the entire Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and particularly his family over this monumental loss. We all take solace in the fact that he lived and died as a gallant Soldier. Allah (SWT) will certainly reward him for all his efforts for our people and for Nigeria. We equally wish to pray for the speedy recovery of our great son, Brigadier General Mohammed Aliyu. We appreciate him and are pained by his sufferings due to this unfortunate accident. All of us should take solace in the fact that destiny cannot be wished away” the forum said.
