Shehu Of Borno Seeks Reopening Of 100 Cemeteries

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, has appealed to Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, to reopen all the abandoned burial grounds in Maiduguri and Jere local government areas.

The monarch regretted that despite the existence of 126 graveyards in the two local government areas, residents have continued to bury their loved ones in Gwange Cemetery which has been there for 74 years.

He made the appeal in an interview with journalists yesterday in his palace in Maiduguri, the state capital.

He said right now there have been complaints from district heads, community leaders and religious leaders that the Gwange Graveyard has no more space hence the call for new graveyards.

The Shehu said,” Based on their complaints, I have directed my council to compile all the existing and abandoned graveyards so that I can do something about the issue. And based on the report I received from my council, there are about 126 graveyards in the two local government areas.

“I am appealing to Governor Zulum to reopen the abandoned graveyards and possibly build new ones as well as provide boreholes in the cemeteries. We want the governor to take the issue as a matter of concern.”