Zulum Orders Investigation Into Collusion Between BOGIS Task Force, EYN Church Members In Maiduguri

• Speaks with CAN chairman, to meet Christian leaders today
• Condemns both parties for shooting, stoning
• Sends Dep. Gov to five injured victims

Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has ordered the Borno police command to immediately investigate a violent collusion between a joint security task force operating with the Borno Geographical Information System and some worshippers at a branch of EYN Church at Maduganari, in Maiduguri.

The Governor condemned in strong terms, the firing of gun shots by a member of security task force as well as some persons who hurled stones at the task force during an encounter on Thursday. One person died and five persons are currently hospitalized.

Zulum’s spokesman Isa Gusau, said the Governor commiserates with families of the person who died and those injured.

The Governor also called the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN in Borno State, Bishop Mohammed Naga and spoke with him to commiserate with the Christian community and leadership and family of the EYN church in Borno.

Zulum also invited the CAN leadership for meeting scheduled for 5:30pm today at the Government House in Maiduguri.

The Governor also directed the deputy governor, Umar Kadafur to visit the hospital where five injured persons are receiving treatment, to empathize with them and also takeover the cost of their treatment.

A Collusion happened on Wednesday when officials of BOGIS, alongside a joint security task force went to church for regulation of land administration and urban development measures, some of which have affected worship centres (mosques and churches) built without obedience to laid down regulations.  The BOGIS has so far demolished dozens of illegally built mosques and churches for ongoing reforms.