Zulum approves N10m, house for late CJTF commander’s family

The Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has approved the release of N10million and a house to the family of Babagana Mallam Tela, popularly called Kadau, who was the commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Bama Local Government Area before he was killed by Boko Haram terrorists in June 2022. 

The CJTF, a volunteer group of combat-ready youths using their local understanding of Borno terrain to fight Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists, works closely with the Nigerian military and has members operating under sectors modelled after military battalions. 

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Kadau was the commander of ‘sector one’ in Bama before he was ambushed and killed while his team was on a routine patrol outside Bama town. 

During his meeting with counter-insurgency volunteers in Bama during the week, Governor Zulum extolled the late Kadau for paying the supreme price in defence of Borno State and Nigeria. 

Before leaving Bama Thursday evening, Zulum visited Kadau’s family to personally register his condolence, even when he had previously sent representatives. 

The governor directed the release of N10m for the family’s upkeep over a period of time. He directed the family to open an account with joint signatories, where the money would be paid. 

Zulum also directed that a house worth another N10m be purchased for Kadau’s family so that they would stop paying rent.

He further directed that all the children of the late commander be awarded Borno State Government-sponsored scholarships throughout their period of formal education. He described the gesture as “very small reward for Kadau’s contributions towards returning peace to Bama, and by extension, Borno State.” 

Before the donation, the governor had offered cash, food and textiles to all the 683 volunteers involved in the fight against Boko Haram in Bama. He also paid tribute to all of them for their services. 

In June 2019, Zulum increased the monthly allowance of all the volunteers across Borno State and approved the procurement of more vehicles and security gadgets for them. 

The governor also approved a massive recruitment of hunters to join volunteer groups and had them deployed to their communities to complement the efforts of the armed forces in fighting terrorism.