The Borno State Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR), Engineer Ibrahim Idris Garba, was today found dead in his Maiduguri residence, alongside an unidentified woman who later died at the hospital. 

The Borno State police command has initiated an investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Already, the rumour has gone wild in Maiduguri that the politician was poisoned – a claim that HumAngle cannot verify at the moment 

The late commissioner was overseeing the repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the reconstruction of resettlement communities for them. 

His final official duty took place in the Bama local government area, where he accompanied the Borno state governor in announcing the construction of 1000 resettlement homes for returning IDPs.

Governor Zulum’s spokesman, Isa Gusau, confirmed the commissioner’s demise and stated that the governor was deeply saddened by the tragic events.

“Upon receiving the shocking news, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum expressed profound grief and extended his condolences to the late commissioner’s family, friends, and colleagues,” Gusau said.

“The Borno State police command has commenced urgent investigation into the death of the state’s commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR), Engr Ibrahim Idriss Garba,” said Gusau. 

He further disclosed that the state’s commissioner of police had visited the residence where Engineer Ibrahim passed away in Maiduguri on Saturday.

While details regarding the circumstances leading to their deaths remain undisclosed, the Borno State government offered prayers for the late commissioner, stating, “May Allah forgive the commissioner’s shortcomings and admit him into Aljanna.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Borno State command, Kaminu Shatambaya, confirmed the incident and emphasized that the police were awaiting the autopsy results before issuing an official statement. Shatambaya described the incident as a tragic loss and revealed that investigators were currently stationed at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Engineer Ibrahim Idris Garba, who previously served as Governor Zulum’s Special Adviser on Special Projects, had recently been appointed as the commissioner for RRR. Speculation had circulated within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State, suggesting that Garba, hailing from the Hawul local government area, was being considered as a potential candidate for the deputy governorship position come 2027 elections.