Shettima in Maiduguri, condoles with victims of Gwoza suicide bombings

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, paid a condolence visit to victims and families of those who lost their lives in the suicide bombings in Gwoza area of Borno State on Saturday.

He described the incident as pathetic, even as he quoted the late Dele Giwa, saying, one life lost in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in cold blood.

Shettima, who addressed journalists shortly after meeting and commiserating with victims at the state Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, conveyed the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to the Borno State Government and the people of Gwoza.

He also made a personal donation to all the victims and condoled with the families of those killed by the multiple explosions.

“The heart of President Bola Tinubu is with the victims and he specifically instructed us to come and offer our condolences and commiserations to the victims of this incident.

“We are here with the Director General of NEMA, the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Transportation and, of course, the Chief Whip of the Senate, a son of the soil from Gwoza, who has been here since yesterday (Sunday) and the acting Governor. They have been working round the clock to provide succour and support to the victims,” he stated.

Pegging the death toll at 32, Shettima noted that while 42 injured persons were brought to the Specialist Hospital, 14 have been discharged after receiving treatment, with 26 still receiving treatment.

He said: “It was a very pathetic scene. Our hearts go out to the victims. So far, we have recorded 32 deaths. 42 of those injured were brought in from Gwoza and about 14 have been discharged, while about 26 are currently receiving attention.

“I want to use this forum to most sincerely register our profound gratitude to the Borno State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the International’s Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for rising to the challenges of the times and giving their best in terms of support.”

While in Maiduguri, the VP also attended the funeral prayer for the late mother of former Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, Hajiya Aisa, at the family residence along Damboa Road.

Sheriff’s mother died in Abuja on Sunday at the age of 93.

In the VP’s entourage were the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur; Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali; former Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda; the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, and other top government officials.