Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has announced that the state government will shoulder the medical bills of victims injured in the recent triple suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri.
Zulum made the pledge on Thursday during visits to victims receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and the State Specialist Hospital.
The governor, who cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia where he was performing the Lesser Hajj when the attacks occurred, described the incident as a tragic disaster and reassured residents that such attacks would not return the state to its darkest days.
“Insha’Allah, Borno State will not fall into the hands of Boko Haram again. I want to sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives and assure them that the government will support them,” he said.
Zulum assured victims that the Borno State Government would take full responsibility for the treatment of all those injured in the attacks.
“Borno State government will shoulder the responsibility of all those who are being treated in the hospitals. God will repose the souls of those who lost their lives,” he added.
He also commended Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu during a visit to the victims, describing the gesture as a demonstration of responsible leadership.
The governor further commended the service chiefs for their prompt visit to the state and ongoing efforts to address the security situation.
“We thank the military, and we are urging the people of Borno State to remain calm as the Federal and Borno State governments do everything possible to address the situation,” he said.
Earlier, the Director of the Trauma Centre at UMTH, Dr Bukar Bunu, disclosed that the hospital received 110 patients following the blasts.
According to him, 22 victims were brought in dead, while six others later died from injuries sustained.
He said that 82 patients were admitted, with 32 successfully treated and discharged, while 50 patients remain on admission.
The governor was accompanied by the APC Deputy National Chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori; Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South; Sen. Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central; members of the House of Representatives, Bukar Talba and Abdulkadir Rahis, among other government officials.
