Umar Zulum Umara, the son of Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, has been arrested for killing a Chinese national following a brawl over a lady at an Indian nightclub.
Umara, a university student in New Delhi, allegedly shattered a bottle of alcoholic drink on the Chinese man who expressed interest in the same woman as the governor’s son.
It was gathered that the incident happened two weeks ago, while Governor Zulum and the governors of Adamawa and Yobe states were in Pakistan, attending a post-insurgency workshop.
A source close to the family told SaharaReporters that it was history repeating itself, as according to him, the governor, at the same age as his son, allegedly hit a man to death during a fight.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source further disclosed that the reckless lifestyle of the members of the governor’s family is no secret in Borno State.
“Make no mistake, Governor Zulum’s son is the Nigerian governor’s son you heard about who killed someone in India.
“What happened was that the boy engaged a Chinese national in a fight over a lady at a nightclub in India, and Zulum’s son smashed a bottle on his head, which led to his death.
“He was arrested by the police. This happened at a time when the governor, along with Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Governor Mai Buni of Yobe, was in Pakistan some two weeks ago.
“Zulum was billed to travel to the United States after the Pakistani engagement, but he abruptly abandoned the trip and flew to India after receiving news of the tragic incident.
“There in India, he made frantic efforts to resolve the matter with the Chinese parents of the deceased person; they actually obliged him, but the Indian authorities insisted that the murder was a crime against the Indian State and not the deceased or even his parents.
“He returned home to Nigeria to garner support and was able to enlist the current agriculture minister, Abubakar Kyari; together, they tried to convince the Indian embassy to wade into the matter but to no avail.
“Based on the information available to us, his son is currently in detention and would be prosecuted in due course.
“The intriguing part of the story is that history has just repeated itself. Yes! Because Governor Zulum had a similar experience as a young lad, when he was about the same age as his son.
“Don’t also forget, just a few months before the tragic incident, the same boy was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives (EFCC) at the Maiduguri International Airport with excess hard currency.”
“But the matter was later watered down, with claims that he was contracted to supply vehicles,” the source added.
When contacted, one of Zulum’s media aides said he was oblivious to the incident.
“I don’t know about this matter, but when I get any information about it, I will relay it to you. However, don’t quote me, please,” he said.