Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Monday paid a condolence visit to the victims and families of those who lost their lives in the suicide bombings in Gwoza, Borno State.
This was as 14 of the 42 injured persons were discharged from the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Shettima described the incident as pathetic, rehashing the words of the late Dele Giwa, saying, “One life lost in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in cold blood.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Mr Stanley Nkwocha disclosed details of the VP’s visit in a statement titled, ‘VP Shettima in Maiduguri, consoles victims of Gwoza suicide bombings.’
Shettima spoke to journalists immediately after meeting and commiserating with victims of the attack at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, conveying the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to the Borno State government and the people of Gwoza.
The Vice President made a personal donation to all the victims of the attacks and condoled with the families of those killed by the multiple explosions, saying the heart of the President is with them.
READ ALSO: Tinubu condemns Borno suicide attack, says terrorists will pay heavy price
“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.
“NEMA, with the Minister of Agriculture, with the Minister of Transportation and, of course, the Chief Whip of the Senate, a son of the soil from Gwoza, who was here since yesterday (Sunday), and the Acting Governor.
“They have been working round the clock to provide succour and support to the victims,” Shettima stated.
Shettima pegged the death toll at 32, noting that while 42 persons injured in the suicide bomb attacks were rushed 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, the State Emergency Management Agency and ICRC for rising to the challenges of the times and giving their best in terms of support.”
President Tinubu, in a statement on Sunday by the Presidency, said his administration would redouble its efforts “to ensure that those who trouble the nation, dispatching precious lives, and disrupting law and order are completely removed.”
It was reported that the bomber, later identified as a young lady in her early twenties, detonated her explosive device in the middle of the gathering, causing chaos and destruction.
Intelligence sources disclosed that the victims, who were all civilians, were returning from a wedding celebration when the attack occurred near a busy motorpark.
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