Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has donated the sum of ₦150 million to the families of three military officers who lost their lives in the recent Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacks in the state.

The payments were made yesterday, in Maiduguri, the state capital on behalf of the Borno state government, and is part of Zulum’s sustained support to families of fallen heroes and the wounded-in-action personnel engaged in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

In addition to the military and security personnel, the governor has also extended assistance to families of volunteer forces killed in action, including scholarship programmes for their orphaned children.

As part of efforts to personally identify with the bereaved families of the fallen military officers, Zulum, on Wednesday, visited families of late Lt-Cols. Umar Farouq, Salihu Iliyasu, and Aliyu Saidu Paiko.

The governor first visited the family of late l Iliyasu in Abuja, where he was received by the deceased’s wives, Na’ima and Rakiya.

He expressed his condolences and paid tribute to the officer’s service to the nation.

“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Late Iliyasu was a dedicated and committed servant of the nation whose contributions will not be forgotten,” said the governor.

He, therefore presented a cheque of ₦50 million to the family.

Zulum subsequently travelled to Niger and Kano states, where he presented cheques of ₦50 million each to the families of late Lt-Col. Aliyu Saidu Paiko and late Lt-Col. Umar Farouq.

He commended the slain commanding officers for their gallantry, patriotism, and sacrifices in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Borno state.

The governor further announced plans to visit the families of other officers who were killed or missing in action in the ongoing military operations, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to standing by the families of officers and men who paid the ultimate price in defence of the country.

He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased in Aljannatul Firdaus and for God to grant their families the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.