Shuwa buried in Maiduguri

Following the insecurity in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, many prominent Nigerians that were suppose to grace the burial of the late Nigerian Civil War hero and former member of the Supreme Military Council, General Mamman Shuwa, could not make it.

Apart from the Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Sheittima, and his cabinent members, only Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, the Shehu of Borno, Emir of Bama and religius leaders in the state were seen paying condolence.

The late General Shuwa, who was buried at about 10:30 a.m. at Gwange Cemetery, was described by many as a leader who lived a life worthy of a statesman.

According to a friend and associate of the General, "the death of Shuwa can be described as one death too many, because he, until his death, remained a binding factor within the Shuwa/Kanuri race in Borno. Those who killed him have destroyed so many things that the two tribes of Kanuri and Shuwa stand for. The General is no more, only history will vindicate him. But it is a blow to Borno State and Nigeria."

Mohammed Shuwa, a relation of the deceased, told Sunday Tribune that so many people had been killed and that "life is life eveywhere. However, the General was a pillar not only to the people of Borno State, but also for the entire Nigerian, because he was, in history, one General that stood for the unity of Nigeria and still believed in that unity until his demise on Friday.

"This is a man who fought the civil war and came home unhurt. He retired honourably as a General in the Army and lived for over 30 years after his retirement. It is Allah's wish that he would take the bullet, otherwise, he would not have been killed by the gun. For us, we would continue to pray for peace in Borno State and Nigeria, just as the General had been praying for peace in the state and the nation before he died."

Thereafter, he refused to speak further on the issue, but simply added that, "everybody will die even those who committed this evil."