By Our Correspondent

National News – Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has donated N50 million to the family of late Lt. Col. OC Okolo, a Nigerian Army officer killed during a Boko Haram attack at Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The donation was presented on April 10, 2026, during a memorial service held at Obinofia Ndiuno, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

According to officials, the gesture was made to support the bereaved family and honour the officer’s sacrifice in defending Nigeria against insurgency.

Zulum, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Brig. Gen. Abdullahi Sabi Ishaq (retd.), reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting families of fallen heroes and those injured in counter-terrorism operations.

The Borno State Government said the financial support was part of its sustained policy to assist families of military personnel who lost their lives in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

The donation, delivered through the governor’s representative, highlighted Zulum’s continued engagement with security agencies operating in the North-East region of Nigeria.

The late Lt. Col. OC Okolo was reportedly killed on February 16, 2026, during a fierce confrontation with insurgents at Mandaragirau in Biu LGA, underscoring the persistent security challenges in the region.

Officials noted that the governor has also previously supported families of three other fallen soldiers with similar financial interventions.

At the memorial service in Enugu State, military representatives, including officers from Operation HADIN KAI, attended alongside members of the deceased officer’s family and community leaders.

The family, represented by Prof. Stanley Okolo, expressed gratitude for the gesture, describing it as a significant relief and a mark of honour for the deceased officer’s service to the nation.

The intervention reflects ongoing collaboration between state authorities and the Nigerian Armed Forces in addressing the human cost of counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

Zulum’s humanitarian gesture continues to position Borno State as a key supporter of military families affected by terrorism-related violence in Nigeria and strengthening morale among frontline troops.