Commissioner of Police, Bello Makwashi listed the names of his dead personnel on Monday when Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum visited the Command Headquarters in Maiduguri, the state capital.
“During the encounter, I want to name the names of those that lost their lives and paid the supreme price,” Makwashi said.
According to him, the affected officers are Mba Mathew, Ibrahim Muhammad, David Jarta, Jerry Joseph, John Barka, Elijah Gwarza, Eheboya Osaheinde, and Nura Aminu.
The police boss told the governor that the State Command had to break the sad news to the families of those in Maiduguri, adding that some were still on their way coming.
Meanwhile, the wives of the slain officers have appealed to the governor for support during the trying moment.
Mrs. Effa David Jarta who spoke on behalf of the widows said they received the news of the unfortunate incident that claimed the lives of their breadwinners in utter shock, adding that “it is not easy.”
“It is God’s design for them, everybody will die but our prayer is to consider us. Let the government see us and pay all the benefits of our husbands. This is all I have to tell you.”
Mrs. Joseph thanked the governor for his visit but said “consider us and the situation we are in.”
On his part, Governor Zulum expressed deep regret about the incident which he said was the first in 18 months since he became governor.
He however assured the women of his commitment to support their livelihood efforts and the education of their children.
“I am standing before you here, I am not here to just see you and go back. God willing we shall not let you down, we shall support you.” Zulum assured.
This comes three days after Boko Haram ambushed the convoy of the state government.
The convoy ran into an ambush by Boko Haram at a spot called Korochara, which is about 2km away from the base of the Multi-National Joint Task Force on the way to Baga from Monguno.
A statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, said Zulum was purposely there to sympathise and condole with brothers, sisters and the families of the deceased policemen.
“It is very unfortunate that the incident happened. May Almighty God in his infinite mercy forgive and reward them for their sacrifices and may God grant you the strength to bear the fortitude of this huge loss that is for all of us.
“It is so sad, looking at what happened. It is quite unfortunate and I am pained by that incident.
“However, those men died as heroes, as patriots and as people that have brought honour to their families even though we never wished that it happened.
“Insha’ Allah, we shall do everything possible to support the families. The education of their children is very important in addition to the support for their means of livelihood.
“I want to once again sympathise with the families on behalf of the grateful people of Borno State.
“I condole with the Borno state police command, the CP, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and entire Nigerians over the sad moment,” Zulum was quoted as saying.
The governor was also at the state specialist hospital in Maiduguri where he consoled with those injured in the incident.
