Report On Bomb Victims

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Report On Bomb Victims

By Correspondent

 We the victims of bomb blasts, which have occurred at different locations in the Northern part of Nigeria, have united with a common interest from all states of the federation. We are united by our scars and by our belief that together we can care for and support one another to get through this trauma, reclaim our dignity and ultimately, prevail over the perpetrators of the crimes that have scarred our lives forever. In Abuja, you all recall the bombing of the UN building, the bombing of the police headquarters, the twin bombing in Nyanya, the Independence Day bombing near Eagle square, Suleja and Madallah bombings. Besides these, the daily horrendous and callous bombings in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau States leave behind hundreds of victims that are without reprieve. Many of the victims are dead and there is the general dispute about the actual number of victims. But it is agreed that victims both living and dead numbered tens of thousands. While some victims have been disabled permanently, others have been displaced from their usual places of abode and yet others are either nursing their wounds or are in various stages of deteriorating medical condition. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that at least 2.5 million Nigerians are internally displaced. This incident has triggered our decision to form an association that will cater for, protect the rights and welfare of victims of bomb explosions. For this cause, it became imperative as it was increasingly clear that unless we take the bull by the horn, we the victims will remain in eternal agony. Since the prolonged neglect of the victims of these bomb blasts across Northern Nigeria has resulted to the death of some of the initial survivors, many others died due to little or no medical care and others as a result of their inability to continue with their medical bills or further their treatment here in Nigeria or abroad among other factors. Public sympathy has been inchoate, uncoordinated and chaotic. All National programs for the alleviation of victims of insurgency have so far been implemented without inputs or involvement of able victims of bomb explosions. This is uncharitable. The Bomb Victim Association of Nigeria has been the only registered and recognized body that was formed as a result of our fears; not fears of the souls lost, nor the permanent scars and trauma that unite us, but the fear of being forgotten. Nigeria and Nigerians tend to forget easily; it is high time we celebrated the dead by giving them a memorial. They are heroes and heroines who lost their lives so that the rest of the society may enjoy freedom. A Table Showing the Spate of Bombing in Abuja and Environs 
DATENAMELOCATIONCASUALTIESREMARKS
01/10/2010Independence day bombingEagle Square, Abuja10 persons killed, scores injuredCar bombing by MEND Leader
31/12/2010Mogadishu Military Barrack bombingAsokoro, Abuja11 persons killed, many injuredIED explosion by Boko Haram
26/08/2011United Nation(UN) Building bombingGarki / Centre Area, Abuja23 persons killed, 60 injuredSuicide bomber by Boko Haram
16/06/2011Police Force H/Q (Louis Edet House) bombingAsokoro, Abuja8 persons killed, scores injuredSuicide bomber by Boko Haram
25/12/2011Madalla Saint Theresa Catholic Church bombingSuleja, Niger State41 person killed, 20 injuredSuicide bomber by Boko Haram
26/04/2012THISDAY Newspaper House bombingJabi, Abuja37 persons killed, scores injuredSuicide bomber by Boko Haram
09/06/2013PDP campaign flag-off bombingSuleja, Niger state10 persons killed, scores injuredIED explosion by Boko Haram
08/04/2011INEC office bombingSuleja, Niger state25 persons killed, scores injuredIED explosion by Boko Haram
14/04/2014Bus stand bombingNyanya, Abuja71 persons killed, 100+ injuredTwin Car bombings by Boko Haram
01/05/2014Motor Park bombing on Worker’s DayNyanya, Abuja22 persons killed, scores injuredCar bombing by Boko Haram
26/06/2014Emab Plaza bombingWuse 2, Abuja21 persons killed, 17 injuredSuicide bomber by Boko Haram
03/10/2015Market/Police Station BombingKuje, Abuja37 persons killed, scores injuredSuicide bomber by Boko Haram
03/10/2015Jikwoyi Bus stop bombingNyanya, Abuja15 persons killed, scores injuredTwin Suicide bombers by Boko Haram
 
We appreciate the effort of the Federal Government in launching funds for victims of the Bomb blast, and also setting up a committee to monitor and administer the fund. Nevertheless, we call upon the president Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) led government to recognise the existence of this variety of beleaguered compatriots, both young and old, and further support us in the following areas: 
  1. We want to be part of the management of victim support fund in order to gain access to support victims of bomb blast who are currently down and those undergoing deteriorating medical conditions
  
  1. We seek empowerment in the area of job creation for victims of bomb blast disabled from doing their normal businesses by providing skill acquisition trainings, and providing succor to the widows and children of the deceased bomb victims
 
  1. We want to partner with the government in the enumeration, creating of records and documentation of bomb victims, this will assist the government in policy formulations that will be of benefit to victims and non-victims alike
 
  1. We want an update and implementation of laws and policies on persons living with disabilities
 
  1. We advocate the government support to set up medical facilities to counsel and rehabilitate traumatized victims to help recuperate and reintegrate them back into the society
 
  1. We demand that a national day is set aside to commemorate a memorial for those who lost their lives as a result of this menace.
 In conclusion, since the government is a continuum and there were promises made to us by the previous administration, we solicit the present administration to validate these promises. Olatunji Kayode Oladele is the Chairman, Bomb Victims Association of Nigeria (BVAN)

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