It has been a little over two months since the passing of Colonel Dauda Musa Komo (rtd) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he served as Military Administrator between 1993 and 1994, but the Zuru people of Kebbi State, where he was raised, are still mourning.
A former President of the Zuru Emirate Development Society (ZEDS), Col. Komo, reportedly played a pivotal role in the growth and development of Zuru.
Described as a great icon, a man whose life embodied service, integrity, and commitment to the advancement of his people, members of ZEDS attest that his indelible contributions will forever be remembered and should serve as a beacon of inspiration for current and future generations.
He was on Saturday, 12 July 2025 laid to rest with full military honours at the family cemetery in Zuru, Kebbi State. The funeral ceremony was attended by senior military officers, both serving and retired, family members, friends, associates, and dignitaries from the Zuru Emirate.
Komo was appointed by late General Sani Abacha as Military Administrator of Rivers State during one of the most turbulent periods in the Niger Delta’s history. He was tasked with maintaining order amid escalating unrest fuelled by the environmental degradation caused by oil companies and the protests of the Ogoni people
His tenure saw the establishment of the Rivers State Internal Security Task Force, led by Major Paul Okutimo. But the darkest chapter of Colonel Komo’s administration came with the arrest, trial, and execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine in 1995. Saro-Wiwa, a prominent environmental activist, led the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) in their resistance against environmental devastation and exploitation.
During the Service of Songs for Colonel Komo on July 11, 2025, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who represented Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, described him as “a revered elder statesman, a father figure, and a mentor to many across the nation.
“His legacy is deeply rooted, far-reaching, and widely acknowledged with profound respect. Without a doubt, his absence will be strongly felt across all spheres where his influence brought guidance, calm, and purpose.
“For us in Bayelsa State, the Late Colonel Komo is remembered as a stabilising figure, a symbol of strength and foresight during his tenure as Military Administrator of the old Rivers State, from which Bayelsa was later created. His leadership left a lasting imprint on the region and its people.
“On behalf of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State and Man of Peace (MOP), we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family over this irreparable loss.
“May the family draw strength and comfort from the exemplary life he lived—as a patriotic leader and a sacrificial servant of God.
Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Shittu, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 8 Division, in a statement on the burial, said: “All gathered to pay final respects to a distinguished senior officer whose exemplary service, professionalism, and life of impact remain worthy of emulation.
“Born on 5 March 1954 in Zuru, Kebbi State, Colonel Komo hailed from the Zuru Local Government Area. He began his educational journey at the primary level before gaining admission into the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1973.
“He proceeded to the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 15 Regular Course and was granted Regular Combatant Commission on 20 March 1976 on the rank of Second Lieutenant at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United Kingdom.
“An officer of the Nigerian Army Signals Corps, Colonel Komo served with dedication and distinction, rising to the rank of Colonel on 5 January 1997. He retired from active military service effective 1 June 1999, after a meritorious career spanning over two decades. He passed away on 30 May 2025.”
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, was ably represented at the funeral by the Commander 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Timothy Opurum.
In his tribute, Brigadier General Opurum described the late senior officer as a brilliant, resourceful, disciplined, confident and professional military officer with impeccable integrity. He noted that Colonel Komo approached leadership not merely as a position, but as a solemn responsibility, demonstrating unwavering commitment to mission success and the welfare of his subordinates.
He further described the deceased as a courageous leader who faced every challenge with resolve, consistently placing the mission and his team above personal comfort. His calm strength in the face of adversity, Brigadier General Opurum remarked, was a constant source of reassurance to those around him.
Highlighting Colonel Komo’s legacy as Military Administrator of Rivers State, Brigadier General Opurum praised him as a champion of peace and a people-oriented leader. At a time of widespread unrest, he initiated a state-wide peace mission that successfully reconciled warring communities and restored stability. His administration prioritized impactful developmental projects and people-centred programmes, including the rehabilitation and dualization of major roads, expansion of access to clean water, improved housing for civil servants, and the empowerment of rural communities to complete abandoned projects through state-supported labour initiatives. He also introduced reforms that enhanced the efficiency of the state’s revenue system.
Highlights of the funeral rites included the traditional firing of volleys, the presentation of the national flag to the Next of Kin, the sounding of the Last Post, and the Reveille. All symbolizing the nation’s final salute to a gallant officer.
Dauda Musa Komo was more than a leader—he was a symbol of service and integrity. Zuru has lost a true icon, but his legacy will live on.