Three children, two belonging to Zannah Jaridama Bornoye, a die-hard supporter of Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and that of his neighbour, were found d3ad a few days after they were abducted by unknown persons.
According to security analyst, Zagazola Makama, bodies of the children were discovered on Thursday, September 25, 2025 barely days after Jaridama openly criticised alleged cabals and politicians in the state.
Jaridama, who had accused some top figures of hypocrisy and sabotage, lamented in a viral video that certain individuals around the governor pretend to be loyal while enriching themselves with contracts, positions, and government resources, without showing true commitment to the people or the governor’s vision.
He lamented that while Prof. Zulum carried the burdens of governance and projects, many of those who claimed to be his die-hard loyalists were only interested in contracts, big houses, and fat pockets.
“They wear big clothes to follow him everywhere, but when it is time to defend him, they disappear. They are hypocrites. When it is a wedding, it is Zulum. When it comes to school fees, it is Zulum. When it is a house, it is Zulum. What value do you bring? You are destroying the governor while claiming to support him,” Jaridama said.
“Some of them came into the Administration with only one vehicle and have now made fortunes, but they cannot spend one million on behalf of the governor.”
“On their faces, they pretend they are Zulum’s men, but underground they are fighting him. They are declaring that they are Zulum’s die-hard, yet they do not love the people.”
“When it is the wedding of their children, it is Zulum. To buy a house, Zulum. School fees, Zulum. Painting of their house or Naming ceremony, it is Zulum that will pay.”
“You are building big houses and going about denigrating the government while you are funding youths to be attacking the personality of the governor, while you are still in the governor’s party, APC.” Those that surround the governor are hypocrites.”Zannah wrote on Facebook.
He dared anyone who felt guilty to drag him to court, insisting he would name them publicly.
However, nearly 24 hours after his comments, tragedy struck. His two children Mama, a 4-year-old girl dressed in pink, and Anwar, a 28-month-old boy in green shadda were no where to be found.
He said that they were abducted while playing in front of their house.
In a desperate Facebook post, Jaridama raised a missing-children alert, pleading for prayers and help but nothing was heard.
Days later, he made another emotional plea, offering to surrender himself in exchange for the lives of his children.
“It is me they are after, not my children. Please, for God’s sake, spare their lives. I am ready to give myself up, even to death, so that these innocent children can continue to live,” he wrote.
But his prayers were not answered. The three children were found d3ad in the early hours of Thursday morning in the boot of his vehicle.
