Despite losing my father to assailants, I can enlist my younger siblings to fight banditry – Haruna, Gombe man declares
Son of Gombe ‘Banga’ commander killed in Bauchi shares the life and times of his late father with Periscope Nigeria
What is your name? I’m Haruna Bello Meduna
How old are you ? 25 years old
What do you do for a living? I’m a farmer, that is what I do for survival.
Are you married? Yes, I’m married with 3 children and I have 1 wife.
What is your Position in the family? I’m the first child of my late father.
How many are you in the family? We are 24 children.
How many wives did your late dad marry? four wives in total.
How old was your late father? Late Bello Meduna was aged 45 years
Can you describe your late father? The name of my father is Bello Meduna, he was a community man, friendly and was one who worked for the peace and progress of the society. My late father was passionate about community development. He was always out to see how best to be of help. My father has lived in Katah-Kamo in ward in Kaltungo local government area of Gombe for the past 17 years but in the past 1 year Hakimi of Kamo appointed him as commander of ‘Banga’ the anti kidnappers. He was fondly referred to Kaura Kamo. He detested crime and all forms of criminality which became part of him.
Where was your father murdered? In Bauchi, in his sleep.
How did your late father migrate to Bauchi? Some people called him that there was a case of kidnap involving some persons. So, he left Kamo in Gombe to Bauchi to offer his services. He didn’t go alone he went with some of his people to clear the issues.
So, how did it happen? It happened around 3am when he was asleep. Some people invaded them with about 30 motorcycles with 3 passengers each totalling 90 persons, with assorted guns and dangerous items. Some of the guns can be classified as been special because of the type weapons they had. They immediately started to fire. It was government who appointed then but my father’s colleagues don’t have anything better to be withstand them. The invaders had An 47, G3 whereas my late father’s colleagues have single, double barrel and power action.
How many persons were killed? My late dad and 2 of his friends were killed.
How did you hear about it? My younger brother did. Some of the people in my late father’s camp called my brother to inform him. He immediately came to knock my door. I wondered why he was knocking on my door but when I opened he told me that our father was died.
So, what was your reaction? I was quiet for a while but I know remembered the promises of God. I was consoled.
Was your father able to rescue the captives, before his demise especially as that was the major reason he travelled to Bauchi? Yes, he had rescued them without much difficulty before his untimely death.
How come your dad from Gombe, went to Bauchi to protect and rescue people as then Banga commander? Governors of Bauchi and Gombe called him at separate occasions to urge him to do the work. My late father was not the only person, there are those that are like him in Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and so on. So they usually team up to do the work. He had collaboration from some of his colleagues from other parts of the North East all they were after is the protection of lives and property. They were not concerned with the location.
How has the family been coping since the announcement? We are managing things, although it has not easy. Right now I’m the father of the house. Prior to now, whenever he goes such assignment he hands over the authority of the house to me because he knew how risky the job is. The family is not as happy as it used to when he was alive.
What was the last experience with your father the late commander? Before my father left for Bauchi he called the entire family consisting of his wives, and the entire children. His comment was that we should bear with him Incase he doesn’t return alive that his work is a risky venture, that the chances is 50:50.
Aside from the last one, has this been his practice? Yes, regularly whenever he wants to depart for an assignment he made it a duty to inform us on his move. He would delegate each person to their responsibilities.
What has been the support of government like ? The support of governments of Gombe and Bauchi states have been encouraging both governors of Bauchi Bala Mohammed and Gombe Muhammadu Yahaya have sent delegations to us. They have also promised us further assistance at the moment we learnt that they intend to extend hand of fellowship to the deceased children.
What do you make of the current happenings? Well for us whatever God destiny’s will always happen just like it has been predestined. If Allah, says yes, nobody can say no.
If you have an opportunity to advice government what would it be? Although our father has died, thereby paying the supreme price but the work to quell the activities of banditry, kidnapping and insurgency has not ended. I can engage two to three of my siblings if there is need to replace our father to continue from where he stopped. Government can not afford to give up now until the war on crime is won. So, people like us are optimistic that in no distant time we will triumph.
Why not you, why delegate your younger siblings? No, I’m the caretaker of the house at the moment. So, it won’t be necessary to volunteer myself but my younger siblings can wholeheartedly takeup the challenges, when the need arise. I can’t possibly leave here for another place because I’m the imam of this mosque, aside being a farmer. Right now my responsibility has increased beyond what it was previously. At the moment I now superintend over the entire household with wives and children inclusive.
