Bomb Attacks: NLC Urges Increased Vigilance, Medical Support

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

Bothered by Monday’s bomb attack at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), and seeming regroup of Boko Haram members, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on residents nationwide to be more vigilant and watch out for strange objects and suspicious persons.

The NLC, in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, also appealed to government to assist those injured by the UNIMAID bombings with the best medical care to ensure their quick recovery.

It urged parents to advise their children and wards towards avoiding collection of any item from strangers, “as it has also become clearer that unsuspecting children are being used by the terrorists to drop bags containing deadly devices in congregations of all types, especially places of worship”.

The statement reads in part: “We received the news of the unfortunate suicide bomb attack at the University of Maiduguri in the early hours of Monday with deep grief as it is coming so soon after the military’s massive attack on the Sambisa Forest where members of the Boko Haram terrorist group had operated for over seven years.

“We urge residents everywhere in the country to be vigilant as the various vigilante groups in the North East evidently played commendable roles in the battle against terrorism. These groups should be encouraged while every resident should maintain vigilance and watch out for strange objects and suspicious persons who may have mixed up with the populace to unleash mayhem.

“The attack, which took the lives of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities as well as students of the university, including a Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Aliyu Mani, who until his death, was the Director of the University’s Veterinary Hospital, also injured over 17 people who are workers and students of the University.

“While we appreciate and commend the Nigerian military and security agencies for the successes achieved so far on the decisive battle against the terrorists, it is important that the security agencies go further by intensifying intelligence as the terror gang has obviously regrouped among residents across the country and prepared themselves for soft targets. This is as dangerous and frightening as asymmetry warfare is more threatening to lives and property than can be imagined. Nowhere in the country is safe under asymmetry warfare.

“We emphasise citizen’s vigilance because it is only the citizens and residents of every community that can clearly identify strange faces.

“All parents should advise their children and wards to avoid collecting any item from strange people as it has also become clearer that unsuspecting children are being used by the terrorists to drop bags containing deadly devices in congregations of all types, especially places of worship.

“We condole with the families of those who died in the twin suicide attacks as well as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the University authority and the government of Borno State. We urge government to give all those injured in the attack the best medical care to enable them recover as quickly as possible.”

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