Bombings: Ndume Asks Fed Govt To Prioritise Security Over 2027 Politics

A former Senate leader, Ali Ndume, has condemned terrorist bombing of certain parts of Maiduguri metropolis, the Borno State capital on Monday.

The explosions believed to have been orchestrated by members of Boko Haram, occurred simultaneously at the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), the Monday Market Roundabout and the Post Office.

The terror group also attacked military locations at Ajari, Baga and Damboa.

Meanwhile, the police confirmed yesterday that 23 were killed and 108 other injured in the multiple suicide bomb attacks

While commenting on the attacks, Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, appealed to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to play down on the politics of 2027 and focus on governance, particularly the security of life and property and welfare of the citizenry which he noted is the primary responsibility of government.

He expressed grave concern over the killing of people in the North East zone and other regions by insurgents and bandits.

Ndume said, “We seem to have abandoned the people for politics. The people that will vote are dying. President Tinubu should concentrate on governance. He should address safety of Nigerians and their welfare first.

“If there is no improvement in their welfare and security, the government becomes their enemy. He should walk his talks on this emergency on security. The people should see that he is addressing their welfare.

“We are in a state of emergency and he should be seen to be addressing the scary security situation, convincingly. A lot of people are still missing from the Ngoshe massacre,” Ndume said.

The lawmaker, in a statement, he issued on the renewed attacks, called on security agencies to ramp up their efforts, particularly on investigation and intelligence gathering to nip in the bud, terrorist attacks before they happened.

“The perpetrators of the Maiduguri bombings must be arrested in relation to the explosions. I learnt that one of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was detonated from a tricycle. That must have been registered with the relevant authorities and investigation will expose the owner and that may help in identifying those behind the explosions,” he said.

The former Senate leader who sympathised with the Borno State government, the residents of the North East state and the families of the victims, faulted what he called a mere press statement on the incident from President Tinubu.

“It is not enough to put up strongly worded press statement. What has happened in Borno and other states in terms of the number of deaths and injuries recorded call for national mourning.

“If President Tinubu can’t visit Borno, he should send Vice President Kashim Shettima to really assure Nigerians that he cares about their plights,” Ndume said.