Maiduguri – Gov. Kashim Shettima of  Borno on Wednesday promised that the state government would  pay compensation to those affected by Tuesday’s triple bomb blasts  in Maiduguri.

Shettima made the pledge  while inspecting one of the sites of the deadly blasts  at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Maiduguri.

He said government would  also foot  the medical bills of those affected by  the blasts  suspected to have been carried out  by  Boko Haram militants.

Shettima lamented the magnitude of damage done by the blasts and gave an assurance that   government would  live up to its expectation of protecting lives and properties.

“We will live up to the expectations of the citizenry as a government by ensuring the protection of  lives and properties.

“In fact, we are on top of the security situation currently as we have marshaled  out plans to address it squarely,” he said.

Shettima also visited the Dandal Police Station which was also affected and commended the security agents for their efforts in containing the situation.

“I want to assure you that the government is totally behind you in your efforts to flush out criminals in the society,” he said.

He promised to repair the damaged vehicles of policemen affected by the blast as well as assist in repairing the damaged walls of the station.

“The citizens  should not panic; we are reassuring everyone that the government will take concrete steps toward  fighting the menace.

“We will not be intimidated by the activities of the criminals nor will we be derailed from  our programmes,” Shettima said.

The  that five persons were killed by the blasts  which occurred simultaneously in Dandal, Gwange and  Saint Patrick Church at about 2p.m.

No fewer than  17 persons were critically injured.(NAN)