Umar Zulum Umara, the son of Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, has been arrested in India for allegedly killing a Chinese national during a dispute over a woman at a nightclub.
Umara, a student at a university in New Delhi, reportedly assaulted the Chinese man by smashing a bottle of alcohol on him after a disagreement over the attentions of the same woman.
According to SaharaReporters, the incident occurred two weeks ago while Governor Zulum and other governors were in Pakistan for a post-insurgency workshop.
A source close to the family, speaking anonymously, mentioned that this incident echoes a past event in the governor’s life when he too was involved in a fatal altercation at a similar age.
The source further highlighted that the lifestyle choices of the governor’s family are well-known 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 night club in India and Zulum’s son smashed a bottle on his head and it led to his death.
“He was arrested by the police. This happened at a time the governor alongside Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Governor Mai Buni of Yobe were 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.
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 biy was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives 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.
SaharaReporters contacted one of Zulum’s media aides who simply replied, “I don’t know about this matter but when I get any information about it, I will relay same to you. However, don’t quote me please!”
Culled: Saharareporters
