Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari visited Borno and Jigawa States on Tuesday to express condolences to the governments and communities affected by recent devastating events.
FRONTPAGE Online reported that both states recently experienced tragic incidents—Borno was struck by severe flooding, while a tanker explosion in Jigawa claimed numerous lives. Together, the disasters led to the tragic loss of nearly 200 lives, occurring during Buhari’s time abroad.
In a statement released Tuesday, Garba Shehu, Buhari’s former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, shared details of the ex-president’s visit. In Borno, Buhari expressed heartfelt sympathy over the scale of damage, destruction, and significant loss of life due to what has been described as the state’s worst flooding in decades. He pointed to climate change as a factor in the extreme weather conditions contributing to the disaster.
Reflecting on his time as the Military Governor of the former North-Eastern State, now divided into six states, Buhari recalled, “We used to pray for rain. Now, we face the paradox of overwhelming rainfall causing severe damage.”
Buhari commended both federal and state governments for their quick response and efforts to aid affected communities. Despite having already dispatched a delegation to convey his condolences, Shehu noted that Buhari felt compelled to visit personally, underscoring his commitment to the region.
Borno Governor, Professor Umara Babagana Zulum, and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba Al Amin El-Kanemi, welcomed Buhari’s “historic visit,” praising him as a leader who has continually prioritized the region’s development. They acknowledged transformative projects initiated under his administration, including the commissioning of an 85-megawatt power plant that restored electricity to Maiduguri, as well as the establishment of the North East Development Commission, a military university, a federal polytechnic, and a college of education. Zulum highlighted Buhari’s instrumental role in efforts to bring peace back to the region following years of Boko Haram insurgency.
In Jigawa, Buhari was welcomed by Acting Governor Aminu Usman, who accompanied him to Rasheed Shekoni University Teaching Hospital, where survivors of the tanker explosion were receiving medical care. Buhari joined the community in prayers for the over 180 lives lost and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The acting governor expressed profound gratitude for Buhari’s compassionate visit and financial support for the victims, reflecting the former president’s strong connection to the people of Jigawa.
FRONTPAGE Online reported in September that approximately 414,000 people had been displaced and another 30 killed by the catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital. In mid-October, FRONTPAGE Online also reported that 167 individuals lost their lives in a fuel tanker explosion in Majiya town in Jigawa’s Taura Local Government Area.
