Controversy trails Borno Commissioner, female guest’s death in guest house

Ibrahim Garba, the Borno State Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (RRR), was on Saturday found dead in his guest house located in the 777 housing estate in Maiduguri.

A yet-to-be-identified woman was discovered unconscious alongside his corpse.

However, she later died at the hospital where she was taken for treatment.

The remains of the duo have been deposited at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, awaiting an autopsy to ascertain the cause of their death.

Isa Gusau, the spokesman of the state governor, Professor Zullum,  issued a terse statement, confirming the commissioner’s death.

According to the statement,
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum “received the news with intense shock and profound grief.

“The Governor mourns alongside the late commissioner’s family, other loved ones, friends, associates, and members of the state executive council.”

He added that the Borno State Police Command has commenced investigation into the commissioner’s death.

 Gusau, who maintained silence on the yet-to-be-identified woman revealed that the state police commissioner had visited the scene of death in the state capital.

He also did not give details on the circumstances surrounding the commissioner’s death though he prayed for his forgiveness and peaceful repose.

Kaminu Shatambaya, the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, on his part,  also confirmed the tragedy but failed to provide details about the incident or the identity of the woman.

He said: “It was a tragic loss but for now, we are all at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital waiting for the autopsy result before any official statement from the police can be issued.”

The deceased commissioner was formerly the Governor Zulum’s Special Adviser on Special Projects.