Death Toll from Kano Blasts Rises to 19
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Sani Sidi, has confirmed that 19 people lost their lives following the deadly twin suicide bomb blasts at the phone market in Kano on Wednesday.
Sidi said this yesterday at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) while presenting drugs and other consumables to the hospitals treating victims of the blasts who had sustained various degrees of injury.
According to him, it was the mandate of NEMA to quickly respond to emergency situations, adding that the Kano blasts were considered serious by the federal government.
The director general of NEMA, who was represented by the Director Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Charles Otegbede, stated that the success recorded in rescuing the survivors of the blasts was as a result of effective collaboration between the Agency's officials and other stakeholders.
He stressed that the feat would not have been achieved without the government's commitment and sincerity of purpose.
He also appreciated the concern of some good Samaritans who have donated blood to the victims of the blasts, affirming that it was NEMA’s mission to ensure that all that is needed is procured.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the three hospitals, the Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Dr. Sani Mijinyawa, said the quick response by NEMA was an effort worth appreciating, adding that with judicious management of the drugs donated in the past by NEMA, the victims of Wednesday’s blasts would benefit immensely.
The chief medical director, who was represented by Director, Pharmacy of the hospital, Mrs. Habibu Uba Ringim, described the gesture as timely, saying the federal government should be commended for showing concern to those affected by the deadly suicide attacks.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said that only prayers and vigilance on the part of the general public could bring to an end the insurgency rocking the nation.
Speaking at the scene of the deadly blasts at the phone market, Ganduje said in every unfortunate situation, one was bound to learn some bitter lessons that would prepare one to face future challenges with utmost caution, adding that the gory tales of the deadly suicide attacks were of great concern to his government.
According to him, the Kano phone market is a gigantic business edifice that is so important to the state government, pledging that his administration was determined to rebuild the market in order to erect an impregnable fortress that would make it absolutely difficult for undesirable elements to penetrate easily.
The governor, who looked visibly disturbed by the gory site of the deadly blasts, however stated that his administration would look into the possibility of assisting the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster, adding that it would also offset the medical expenses of those seriously injured.