By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Retired Colonel Dauda Musa Komo, a former Military Administrator of Rivers State, is dead. News Express learnt that he passed away yesterday evening, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Port Harcourt.

Komo reportedly died in the Rivers State capital while attending a public event. He governed Rivers State during the military regime of late General Sani Abacha. Komo served as Military Administrator from December 1993 to August 1996, overseeing the state during a turbulent period marked by protests and unrest in the Niger Delta, particularly among the Ogoni people.

According to Wikipedia, “He took office at a time of escalating violence between the Ogoni and Okrika people over crowded waterfront land, combined with Ogoni protest against Shell Oil activities and the environmental destruction of Ogoni land. He reacted aggressively, sending troops to break up demonstrations and arresting leaders of the Ogoni's MOSOP movement.”

Famous author and environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists were convicted and hanged by the Abacha regime during Komo’s reign in Rivers State.

As per Wikipedia: “Komo was relieved of his position in August 1996. After the restoration of democracy in May 1999, he was forced to retire from the army, as were all other former military administrators. In the run-up to the 2003 elections for Kebbi State governor, Komo was among the contenders to be nominated as the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who by agreement was to come from the Zuru Emirate.”