Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of one Bukar Modu, a man seen in a viral video allegedly molesting a minor, Bashir Gaji.
Security operatives apprehended Modu on Saturday night at Umarari area of Maiduguri following the Governor’s directive.
Governor Zulum, who met with little Bashir Gaji on Sunday at the Government House, Maiduguri, condemned the incident in strong terms, describing it as a “heinous act” and an “affront on our values.”
“This is a grave violation of the rights of a child and a betrayal of the duty we all have to protect the vulnerable. We cannot allow such actions to be repeated in our society,” Zulum said.
He directed law enforcement and judicial authorities to ensure the suspect faces the full weight of the law, stressing his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on child abuse and exploitation.
The Governor further tasked the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to intensify community awareness campaigns, especially targeting local guardians and traditional teachers, to promote appropriate methods of disciplining children.
In a humanitarian gesture, Governor Zulum announced the donation of a fully furnished house to Bashir Gaji and his family. He also awarded the child a scholarship to support his education up to tertiary level.
Bashir Gaji and his family are currently residing in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Monguno, following the killing of his father by Boko Haram insurgents.
