The deceased children were Mama (14), Anwar (28 months), and a third child belonging to his neighbour.
Three young children’s bodies, including two belonging to a prominent political supporter of the state governor, Babagana Zulum, Zannah Jaridama Bornoye have been found in their father's car.
This was confirmed on Thursday, throwing the state into a state of mourning.
The deceased children were Mama (14), Anwar (28 months), and a third child belonging to his neighbour.
The bodies were found in the boot of an old vehicle in Bornoye’s compound.
The children had been reported missing for nearly 24 hours. Jaridama had earlier used his Facebook page to plead for their safe return, even offering to surrender himself in exchange for their lives.
Confirming the discovery of the children's bodies, the Borno state Commissioner of Police, Nazir Abdulmajid, said the bodies have been deposited at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for an autopsy.
“For now, we cannot really say this was what really transpired. And we have not established that it was linked to any political killing. But the autopsy will give the proof (to determine) if they were kidnapped and killed or they entered the boot and locked themselves, leading to their death,” he explained