‘We won’t abandon you’ – Shettima assures families of fallen soldiers

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

The  Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has assured families of military and police officers slain in a recent attack in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State of the federal government’s continued support.

He reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s resolve not to allow the efforts and gallantry of officers of the armed forces and other security agencies to go in vain.

Senator Shettima gave the assurance on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, when he led the Federal Government’s delegation on a condolence visit to the state governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, over the killing of some security officers as well as the passing of the Speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Usman Zuru, in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, April 7.

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.”

Shettima disclosed that the President, Tinubu, has already instructed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the families of fallen heroes and to 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 are necessary for you to do your duties as you ought to do.”  

He prayed for the repose of the deceased, asking Almighty Allah 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 Al-Jannah Firdaus.

“May Allah also give the government and people of Kebbi State the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses. Please extend the condolences of the 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 the state’s infrastructure development and increased investment in education 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, as he also commiserated with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on the recent demise of his sister.

On his part, Governor Idris said security agencies in the state are doing their best and cooperating with state authorities to tackle challenges in the area.

The governor said that despite the recent challenges, there had been improvements in response and tactics by the 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 recurrence of such an ugly situation.

While expressing gratitude to the Vice President for leading a federal government delegation to condole with the people of Kebbi State, the Emir of Zuru, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Sanusi Mikailu 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 (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, and the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, among others.

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