The death toll from the bomb attack in the Gwoza area of Borno State on Saturday has risen to 32, Vice President Kashim Shettima confirmed yesterday. Initially reported as 31, the number increased as another person succumbed to injuries.
During a condolence visit to the families of the victims in Gwoza, Shettima described the incident as tragic, quoting the late Dele Giwa: “One life lost in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in cold blood.”
Speaking to reporters at the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, where he met with survivors, Shettima conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolences to the Borno State government and the people of Gwoza. He reported that 42 persons were admitted to the hospital, with 14 discharged and 26 still receiving treatment.
The Vice President made a personal donation to the victims and expressed solidarity with the families of those killed by the multiple explosions. He was accompanied by Borno State Acting Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, Senator Ali Ndume, and other notable figures.
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Kadafur, speaking on behalf of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, urged the people to see the incident as an act of God and not lose hope in the emerging peace in the state. He added that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had evacuated and transported some victims to Maiduguri for medical attention, announcing a state government donation of N5 million to support the victims.
In response to the attack, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) pledged to reinforce security measures and ensure swift responses to threats in the region. NSF Chairman Senator Abdulaziz Yaradua commended the courage of the medical teams, rescue workers, and the Nigerian Army for their dedication in the face of adversity.
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Similarly, the Southern Senators’ Forum condemned the suicide bombing in Gwoza. In a statement by its Chairman, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, the forum expressed shock and sadness, calling for a collective and robust response to terrorism in Nigeria. They urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of all Nigerians.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also condemned the bomb attack, calling for renewed military efforts to combat religious extremism, banditry, and insurgency. ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur A. Muhammad-Baba, highlighted the coordinated nature of the attacks, which targeted soft and defenseless targets like a wedding party, a funeral, and a hospital.
The Vice President, along with other officials, reassured the community of the government’s commitment to security and justice for the victims of the attack.