Sulaiman Muhammad, the younger brother to Abubakar Muhammad, the late officer of the Nigerian air force (NAF), who was among the operatives killed during a gun duel with armed bandits at Ungwan Laya axis of Birnin Gwari, Kaduna state, on February 13, has explained why he married his brother’s bride about five weeks after his demise.
Abubakar Mohammed’s death on February 13th occurred three weeks to his wedding to his bride, Hajara. But following his death, his younger brother tied the knot with Hajara on March 20th.
Explaining why he married his late brother’s bride, Sulaiman told BBC Pidgin, Sulaiman explained that the marriage took place at the instance of Hajara.
“Abubakar was my immediate elder brother and I loved him so much that his death really pained me. So, what actually happened was that after his death, his fiancée’s family sent a message to us,” he said.
“The message was that she (Hajara) said she likes me and that instead of calling off the wedding which was just three weeks away at the time, it would be better that I replace my late brother and marry her. Today, we are married.”
“After my elder brother’s death, both families were devastated especially because Abubakar and Hajara where to get married in three weeks. So, our families, with the wise counsel of my mother, decided to hook us up.
“I am someone who does whatever my mother says as long as it does not go against Allah, so when she approached me with this idea, I agreed and hoped Hajara too will agree. She agreed and today everything is history as we have been joined as man and wife. I love her like I have known her for years,” he said.
Sulaiman who had a girlfriend at that time, said he had to explain to her at the time the incident took place, adding that he was glad that she understood the situation.
Sulaiman said that his marriage to Hajara got the backing of both families.
“I never thought of getting married at this time because my girl is still in secondary school and I do not think she will be ready for marriage in the next five years.”
“I had a girlfriend prior to the incident but I believe what happened has been destined to be so. I’m glad that my ex-girlfriend accepted it that way. Both families supported what we did and that is the most important thing,” he said.
Azumi Muhammad, Abubakar’s mother, described the deceased as kind-hearted, recalling their last moment in January.
Sulaimon who works as an interior designer, said he remains unperturbed by comments on social media over his marriage to Hajara.
“It was even my friend that showed me some of the comments but that did not bother me at all because God has already blessed our wedding. In fact, it rained on our wedding day to show God’s blessings,” he added
“Abu joined the NAF in 2017 after which he was posted to Port Harcourt where he spent two months. He came back to Kaduna and underwent a five-month course at the NAF base, after his training, he was posted to Enugu for another six months.
“After that, he was transferred to Osun state. He spent only one month in Osun before he commenced a special forces training in Bauchi state. He spent two months in Bauchi, moved to Katsina state for one month before he was moved to Birnin Gwari.”
She called on the Federal Government to tackle the current spate of insecurity so that young men like her son will not continue to pay the supreme price.
www.globaltimesng.com
