By Ndahi Marama

MAIDUGURI—The Borno Elders Forum has expressed shock over the demise of Major General Yusha’u Mahmood Abubakar, first ‘Theater Commander’ in the war against Boko Haram insurgents, following the relocation of the Military’s Command and Control Center to Maiduguri by President Muhammadu Buhari in May, 2015.

The elders described General Abubakar as “a courageous, dedicated, loyal and patriotic Nigerian Soldier” who fought and died trying to rescue Borno from the bondage of terrorism.

The forum also prayed for the speedy recovery of Brigadier General Mohammed Aliyu, acting G.O.C who was involved in the accident that claimed the life of General Abubakar along Maiduguri-Damaturu way few days ago.

Secretary and spokesman of the forum, Bulama Mali Gubio, on behalf of the forum’s chairman, Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, said in a statement yesterday in Maiduguri that the death of Abubakar was a sad one for every true son and daughter of Borno.