Slain Corps Members: Yuguda Begs God For Forgiveness

The Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam (Dr.) Isa Yuguda has called on all well-meaning and God-fearing Nigerians to pray for the forgiveness of his soul on the day of resurrection, over the death of the 10 National Youth Corps members that were gruesomely murdered during the post election violence in his state.

Malam Yuguda in a condolence message to the families of the dead corps members, added that when he eventually answers Allah’s call and his body is lowered to his grave, God will ask him to account for the souls of the innocent corps members and the soul of other citizens of Bauchi state who lost their lives when he was the governor of Bauchi state.

He prayed that Almighty God in his infinite mercies grant the families of the slain corps members the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss and fill the void their passing has left in their hearts.

According to him, the state government is not only mourning the loss of the lives but also had lost forever the value they would have contributed to the growth and development of the people of Bauchi state and indeed the country at large.

“The perpetrators of the dastardly and criminal act have already been apprehended by the law enforcement agents and justice will take its course as they will pay the bitter price eventually.

“The government also uses this medium to condole with the families of the citizens of Bauchi state who lost their loved ones during the crisis and also to reassure them that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be punished according to the laws of the land,” he stated.

He added further that Bauchi state where politics in Nigeria started had always peacefully conducted election in the past and had never witnessed any form of violence let alone loss of lives since independence in 1960.

He lamented that it is very sad at a time when all hands should be on deck to move the nation forward, irrespective of tribe, ethnic or religious affiliation, some hoodlums would in the name of protest kill and maim innocent Nigerians, adding that it is even more regrettable that youth corps members on national service should become targets for deranged killers who have lost all sense of humanity.

“This new development has not only led to the loss of lives of our dear youth corps members whose parents have laboured to nurture and take through schools at great cost only to lose them to needless violence in the service to their country.

“This needless violence also led to burning and destruction of churches, mosques and other properites. This development in the history of Bauchi state will never happen again by the grace of Almighty God,” he prayed.

Yuguda was pilloried after he reportedly remarked that the slain youth corps members were destined to die that way. He has sicne denied saying so, adding that he was misquoted.

—Jamiu Yisa