Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has offered a new life to Bashir Gaji, a boy seen in a viral video being beaten.
The governor gave him a fully furnished house and a full scholarship to cover his education. Bashir is an internally displaced child from Monguno. His father was killed by Boko Haram.
Zulum met the boy on Sunday at the Government House in Maiduguri. He condemned the assault and said such abuse would not be accepted in Borno. The man in the video, Bukar Modu, was arrested on Saturday night in Maiduguri. This followed the governor’s order for his immediate arrest and prosecution.
Zulum called the beating an attack on basic human values. He said no child should live in fear or face violence. He promised that the suspect would face the full force of the law.
The governor also gave a new task to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. He told them to start more awareness programs. These will teach parents and guardians better ways to guide and discipline children without violence.
Zulum said all children, especially those who lost everything to war, deserve safety and support.
