Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured families of military and police officers killed in a recent attack in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State of the Nigerian government’s continued support.
VP Shettima made the pledge on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, while on a condolence visit to Kebbi State.
He reiterated the President’s resolve not to allow the efforts and gallantry of officers of the armed forces and other security agencies to go in vain.
VP Shettima, who led the Federal Government’s delegation on a condolence visit to the state, conveyed the President’s message to the State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris. He also expressed his condolence to the State over the recent passing of the Speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Usman Zuru, in Cairo, Egypt.
The Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the families of fallen heroes, stressing that the welfare of armed forces personnel and their families remains a top priority under the Tinubu administration.
He said, “We are here in Kebbi, your Excellency, at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserate with you, and to register our profound condolences and empathy over the sad developments in your state, in the past couple of days.
“The demise of the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, the late Hon. Muhammed Usman Zuru, the destruction of our communities in Shanga Local Government Area and, of course, the loss of our eleven gallant officers.
“We are here to condole with you, the security establishment in Kebbi State and the government and people of Kebbi. Our hearts are with you.”
VP Shettima disclosed that already, President Tinubu has instructed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to families of the fallen heroes and the displaced communities affected by the sad developments.
“The President also instructed me to come with the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure that adequate measures are put in place to give succour and support to the displaced communities.
“We are going to support you. We appreciate you, we adore you, we respect you, and we will take whatever measures that are necessary for you to do your duties as you ought to do,” he added.
The VP prayed for the repose of the deceased, asking God to grant them peace and eternal rest as well as give the government and people of the state the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“Your Excellency, please accept, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our profound condolences over the loss of lives and properties. May Allah grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest and reward them with his Aljannah firdaus.
“May Allah also give the government and people of Kebbi State the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses. Please extend the condolences of Mr. President to the families of our fallen heroes. May their souls rest in perfect peace,” he prayed.
The Vice President further commended Governor Idris for infrastructure development and improved investment in education in the state over the past three years.
“Kebbi is home; I would have loved to come on a much more joyous occasion to celebrate with his Excellency. He has done outstandingly well within the last three years. The infrastructural development is excellent- very good investment in education – and, of course, his sense of inclusivity, making all tendencies within Kebbi to have a sense of belonging.
“Your Excellency, the President appreciates you, the President loves you and most importantly the President respects you,” VP Shettima stated, just as he also commiserated with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on the demise of his sister recently.
Boosting Security
Governor Idris said security agencies in the state are doing their best and are cooperating with state authorities in tackling the challenges in the area.
The Governor said despite the challenges experienced recently, there were improvement in terms of response and tact by security agencies deployed to the state.
He expressed appreciation to the federal government for sending a high powered delegation, under the leadership of vice president Shettima, to condole with the people of kebbi State and the families of the slain officers who lost their lives in the recent attack, as well as the speaker who passed on in Egypt.
The Governor told the Vice President that the state government had already donated N60 million to the families of the eleven slain officers to support them.
He also announced that the communities recently displaced by bandits have been resettled by the state government, adding that adequate security measures were being put in place to prevent the reoccurrence of such ugly situation.
While expressing gratitude to the Vice President for leading the federal government delegation to condole with the people of Kebbi State, the Emir of Zuru, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Sanusi Sami, prayed for peaceful coexistence in Kebbi State and the entire nation.
On the entourage of the Vice President were the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim-Hassan Hadejia; Speaker Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan; Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo and the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, among others.