Family of slain Boko Haram leader gets N100m compensation

THE Borno State government decided, on Monday, to settle out of court with the family of the late in-law of the deceased Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, with the payment of N100 million compensation for extra-judicial killing of Baba Fugu. Baba Fugu was killed by policemen in 2009 after he made himself available at the Borno State Police Command.

The family subsequently went to court seeking compensation from the Borno State and the Federal Government for the death of Bata Fugu.

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Their prayer has since been answered by the Maiduguri High Court, which ordered the state government and the Federal Government, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to pay compensation of N100 million, with the state asked to cough up N40 million and the Federal Government and the police paying the balance of N60 million.

The Borno State government, feeling unsatisfied went to the Federal Appeal Court, Jos, to challenge the ruling but with yesterday’s decision, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mallam Zanna Gana, was instructed to withdraw the appeal.

Presenting the cheque to the family's solicitor, Mr Anayo Adibe, the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said the ceremony was a solemn one and that his heart went out to the family of Baba Fugu and others who lost their lives to the crisis which engulfed the state.

He said no amount of money paid to the family could compensate them for the loss of their patriarch and prayed God to continue to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

The governor said despite the situation the state had found itself since the Boko Haram sect decided to take up arms against everyone, the state government would not stop to appeal to them to lay down their arms and choose peace since violence would not achieve anything.

According to him, "I wish to call on all men of goodwill to join us in the pursuance of peace."

He, however, said he knew the government would be criticised for insisting on peace with all the harm the sect had done to the state and country, but added that since it was the government and people of Borno that were at the centre of the crisis, they knew where the "shoe pinches".

“No matter what it takes, we have to stick our necks out and pursue peace. Though people, especially those outside the state, will condemn us for our action, we live in Borno and know where the shoe pinches,” he explained.

While receiving the cheque on behalf of the family, the family solicitor, Adibe, commended the governor for having a good heart, insisting that in line with what the governor said every life was worth living and no amount of money could equal a lost life.