Kaduna Bloodshed Hits Home: Interior Minister Reveals Personal Tragedy

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has shared a deeply personal account of how his father lost his life in Kaduna State during a religious crisis in 1992.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking during a special Youth Forum programme on Channels Television to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office, Tunji-Ojo revealed that he was just 10 years old when the tragedy occurred. His father was reportedly killed while returning from church amidst the unrest in the North-Western state.

Reflecting on the loss, the minister described the hardship of growing up under the care of his mother, who singlehandedly raised him and his siblings.

“I lost my father due to issues related to internal security. He was a victim of a religious conflict—killed in Kaduna in 1992 while coming back from church. It was a traumatic experience that shook my foundation,” Tunji-Ojo recalled.

He noted that the experience was a turning point in his life but added that he chose to confront his challenges head-on. Determined to overcome adversity, he built a successful business before venturing into public service.

During the programme, the minister also praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the president had made bold decisions to steer the country away from unsustainable fiscal practices.

“I’m glad Mr President came in and took decisive steps. Before his administration, we were mortgaging the future by spending it today,” he said.

“As a former National Assembly member involved in budget processes, I saw firsthand how nearly 90% of our revenue went into debt servicing. You can’t fund economic growth when almost all your earnings are tied up in servicing past debts.”