Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday visited Maiduguri, Borno State capital, to condole with the Nigerian Army and the state government, over the recent attack on military personnel in Benisheikh town and other parts of the state.
Daily Trust reports that the coordinated attacks in Benisheikh and Ngamdu in Kaga Local Government Area, as well as Pulka in Gwoza LGA of the state, had left at least 18 senior officers and soldiers, in addition to an unspecified number of civilians dead.
During the visit, Shettima was received by the Theatre Commander, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, among other top government functionaries in the state.
According to him, the visit was at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to condole with the bereaved families of those who lost their lives during the attacks.
“At the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I visited Borno State today to condole with the state government and the Nigerian Army over the recent attack that claimed the lives of military officers at Benisheikh. Indeed, these men wore the uniform for all of us.
“They stood to protect our communities, our families, and the future of our children. Their courage reminds us that peace and security often come at a very heavy cost.
“On behalf of the President, I wish to convey our deep, heartfelt condolences to the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the other Allied forces for the lives lost. Our hearts bleed, we grieve with the families, the nation grieves with the families and the supreme sacrifices by our gallant officers and men,” he said.
Shettima expressed optimism that, “No matter how long the night is, it must give way to the light of the dawn.”
The vice president further explained that the Federal Government would continue to support armed forces as well as the bereaved families and the people of Borno State, among other states facing the security challenges.
He also assured of the continued support of the Federal Government, adding that criminals will have no hiding place under President Tinubu’s administration.