Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has commiserated with the University of Maiduguri, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Borno State government over the recent twin bomb attack in the university as well as the accidental air strike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), describing the incidents as tragic.

The Governor expressed his sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the university community, the families as well as people and government of Borno State over the incidents, adding that the attack by a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber was really unjustified.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Governor noted that the institution had been relatively peaceful despite the countless attacks launched on its environs and called on the its authorities to step-up security on the campus to guard against future occurrences.

“Despite insurgency, the University of Maiduguri has been relatively peaceful. Indeed, in 2016, the UNIMAID had its 40th anniversary and combined convocation which attracted people from all over the world,” he said.

Governor Sani Bello, who believes that the fight against the insurgents was a collective responsibility, said government and the citizens must not allow evil to triumph over peace and harmony of the society.

“There is the need for the people to be extra-vigilant and to also assist the security agencies with intelligence reports, and expose suspicious characters amongst us so that they can be proactively flushed out of our midst before carrying out their nefarious activities.”

The Governor further advised that the airstrike should not be seen to undermine the gains recorded by the Armed forces and other security agencies in the fight against the insurgents.

Governor Sani Bello commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the blast as well as those of the IDP camp and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and wished the injured quick recovery.

Reports say four persons, including a Professor of Veterinary Medicine (Aliyu Mani), were killed in the suicide attack that rocked the University at two different locations while 17 people recorded various degrees of injuries.

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