Zulum orders arrest, prosecution of Man in viral child molestation video

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of Bukar Modu, the man seen in a disturbing viral video allegedly molesting a minor, identified as Bashir Gaji.

The widely circulated video has sparked widespread condemnation and reignited conversations around the protection of children and the enforcement of justice in abuse cases.

The directive, which came on Sunday, April 13, followed Governor Zulum’s meeting with the young victim at the Government House in Maiduguri. Security operatives had acted swiftly on the governor’s orders and apprehended the suspect on Saturday night in the Umarari area of Maiduguri.

“This heinous act is an affront on our values and a betrayal of our duty to protect our children,” Governor Zulum said during the meeting. “We cannot tolerate such actions perpetually repeating itself. I am directing the relevant authorities to move swiftly and ensure that this individual faces the full extent of the law. Our children deserve a safe environment to grow and become meaningful members of society.”

The video, which shows the child in a distressed state, has triggered nationwide outrage, with social media users and child rights advocates calling for urgent action.

The footage has been described as a gross violation of the rights of the child and has intensified calls for justice and better mechanisms to protect vulnerable minors from abuse.

Reacting to the public outcry, Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s zero tolerance for abuse, violence, and exploitation of minors, particularly in educational and community settings.

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In a compassionate gesture, Governor Zulum also announced immediate support for Bashir Gaji and his family, who are currently residing in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Monguno.

The young boy’s father was reportedly assassinated by Boko Haram insurgents, forcing the family into displacement.

The Governor committed to providing a fully furnished house for the family as well as a comprehensive scholarship to ensure Bashir receives uninterrupted access to quality education.

“This boy has already suffered too much at such a tender age,” Zulum said. “We owe it to him and other children in similar situations to not just protect them from harm but also empower them for a better future.”

Governor Zulum has also directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to develop and roll out community-based awareness programmes.

These initiatives will be targeted at families, traditional educators, and local guardians, with a focus on proper child discipline methods that do not involve abuse or violence.

The governor stressed that educating caregivers and community figures is key to ending recurring patterns of child maltreatment under the guise of discipline.

Human rights groups have lauded Governor Zulum’s prompt action, noting that the move sets a precedent for how cases of child abuse should be handled. Advocacy groups are urging for speedy prosecution, proper rehabilitation for the victim, and systemic reforms to address similar cases across the country.

As legal proceedings begin against Bukar Modu, the spotlight remains on Borno State’s justice system to deliver swift and decisive justice, reaffirming that crimes against children will not go unpunished.