Maiduguri Blasts: Zulum vows to pay victims’ medical bills, cuts short Saudi trip

2026-03-20 - 21:13

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri Borno State Governor, Babagana Umar Zulum, has pledged that the state government will shoulder the medical expenses of victims injured in the recent triple suicide attacks in Maiduguri. Zulum, who was in Saudi Arabia performing the Lesser Hajj when the incident occurred, cut short his trip to return home and sympathise with victims and their families. The governor on Thursday visited those receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the State Specialist Hospital, describing the attacks as a tragic incident while assuring residents that such events would not recur. “Insha Allah, Borno State will not fall into the hands of Boko Haram again. I want to sympathise with families of those who lost their lives and assure them that government will support them,” Zulum said. “Borno State government will take full responsibility for the treatment of all those injured. May God repose the souls of those who lost their lives,” he added. The governor also commended Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a visit to the victims, describing the gesture as a demonstration of responsive leadership. He further lauded the efforts of the military and service chiefs for their continued commitment to restoring peace in the state, urging residents to remain calm as both federal and state governments intensify efforts to address the security situation. Providing an update during the governor’s visit, the Director of the Trauma Centre at UMTH, Bukar Bunu, disclosed that the hospital received 110 victims from the blasts. According to him, 22 victims were brought in dead, while six others later died. He added that 82 patients were admitted, 32 have been treated and discharged, while 50 remain on admission. Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the APC Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori; Senator Mohamed Ali Ndume; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bukar Talba and Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis, as well as other top government officials.