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| Governor Patrick Yakowa with Victim of Bomb Blast |
Smartening from the Sunday bomb blast at St Rita’s Catholic Church, Malali, Kaduna, the Kaduna State Governor, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, Monday took another look at the incessant terror attacks on the state and declared that coping with the aftermath of the attacks posed the greatest challenge he has in governance, and one of the outstanding problems in the history of the state.
He looked pensive and distant in thoughts when he addressed a press conference on the blast Monday. Before the conference, he had visited the scene of the blast and also the victims in the various hospitals where they are being treated. About 111 victims of the bomb attack have been treated and discharged from three of the hospitals they were receiving treatment.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in a statement by Baba Ali Monday confirmed that many of those still in the hospital were responding to treatment.
But Yakowa believes the battle to save the region from the terrorists can still be won, provided the communities where the assailants live cooperate with security agencies by providing information that could lead to their arrests or prevent further attacks.
Yakowa, who noted that those perpetrating the dastardly act live among the people, called for support and cooperation with the security agencies to expose them.
“We must all join hands and ensure that we expose and flush out these evil people among us. All these challenges will not distract us from developing the state.
“Never in the history of the state have we faced these challenges, but we remain unshaken. We remain focused and determined to succeed in ensuring quality life for our people.
“Let us all join hands in bringing an end to this act of terrorism. We must bring an end to the destruction of lives and property of innocent Nigerians. For me, I feel so sad each time this thing happens and this is a very sad moment for me; but we thank God because it could have been worse,” the governor said.
According to him, there are some people who are against Nigerians living together in peace and urged the people not to succumb to the evil antics of agents of destabilisation.
Although many people have asked questions about the absence of the security men who usually guard the church on Sundays, but were absent when the bomber attacked the church, Yakowa exonerated security agencies from any blame in the incident.
He said security was fortified around all places of worship during the Sallah period, stressing that the terrorists resorted to hitting the fence since they could not pass through the gate.
He commended the security agencies and religious leaders in the state, especially for ensuring that the situation did not degenerate into violence, given the threat for reprisals.
Yakowa also noted that contrary to reports in the media, only four people were killed in the incident with over 100 others injured.
Also speaking during the press conference, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Man’oso Ndagoso, thanked the state government for footing the hospital bills of the injured.
Meanwhile, the Ja’amatu Nasril Islam (JNI), the umbrella body of Muslims in the North, in a statement called on the security agents to be more vigilant and intensify measures aimed at curbing the dastardly act of bombings.
The statement, which was signed by the Secretary General on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, called on the Islamic clerics to always intensify prayers to Allah to bring an end to the situation and ensure peace and stability in the country.
Amid more condemnations for the attack, some of the injured have been discharged from the various hospitals they were taken to for treatment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported Monday that 146 victims were admitted at Barau Dikko, St. Gerard’s and 44 military Hospitals in Kaduna.
However, only 35 of the injured were still receiving treatment at the three hospitals as at Monday.
The figure was released during a visit to the hospitals by officials of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Source: Thisdaylive
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