Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has pledged a fully furnished house and full educational scholarship to Bashir Gaji, a minor who was physically assaulted in a viral video that sparked outrage on social media.
Zulum made the announcement on Sunday when he received the boy at the Government House in Maiduguri.
The video showed one Bukar Modu brutalising Gaji, an internally displaced person in Monguno, whose father was reportedly killed by Boko Haram insurgents.
Following the Governor’s directive for immediate prosecution of Bukar Modu, he was arrested by the security operatives on Saturday night at Umarari in Maiduguri.
Zulum has emphasised that his administration will not tolerate any form of abuse or exploitation of minors and directed swift action to bring the perpetrator to justice.
“This heinous act is an affront on our values and a betrayal of our duty to protect our children, students and minors who are under our guardianship.
“We cannot tolerate such actions perpetually repeating itself. I am directing the relevant authorities to move swiftly and ensure that this individual faces the full extent of the law. Our children deserve a safe environment to grow and become meaningful members of society,” Zulum said.
The governor, however, directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to devise modalities for increased community awareness programmes to educate families and local traditional teachers and guardians on the proper means of enforcing discipline on children.
