It has been confirmed that 18 people were killed when four suicide bombers set off improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Gwoza, the Borno state on Saturday.
“President Tinubu has described the attacks as desperate acts of terror and a clear manifestation of the pressure mounted against terrorists and the success achieved in degrading their capacity to launch offensives,” the statement read.
Tinubu said that the “purveyors of wanton violence shall have a certain encounter with justice and that these cowardly attacks are only but an isolated episode as his government will not allow the nation to slither into an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood.”
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Presidency issued a statement, commiserating with the victims’ families as well as the Borno State Government.
The Commander-in-Chief maintained that his administration is taking necessary measures to secure citizens, stressing that efforts will be redoubled to ensure that those who trouble the nation, dispatching precious lives, and disrupting law and order are completely removed.
Horrific
Toeing a similar path, the United States Government condemned the attack, describing it as horrific.
“The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific attacks that took place in Gwoza, Borno State on June 29. These reprehensible acts of violence show a cruel and heartless disregard for human life,” the Mission said in a Sunday message.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed and wish a full recovery to the injured. These abhorrent attacks are a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorism in the region.”
It also reiterated the Mission’s commitment to collaborate with the Nigerian government to defeat terrorism and bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice.
Recent Deadly Attack
Saturday’s attack is one of the deadliest reported in the state in recent months. It also injured more than 30 persons. The degree of injuries ranges from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.
The Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Barkindo Saidu, said he witnessed the first blast.
“In my presence, at about 3 pm, the first bomb blast in Gwoza occurred, detonated by a female suicide bomber during the marriage ceremony celebration,” he wrote in a situation report later in the day.
“It affected more than 30 persons with various levels of injuries and instant death. Some minutes later, another blast occurred around General Hospital.”
The wedding was held at Tashan Mararaba near the Fire Service in Gwoza town.
The military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza LGA in the wake of the attacks.
Director confirms more blasts in Gwoza, 18 people killed
Dr Barkindo Saidu, the Director-General of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has confirmed more blasts in Gwoza and the rise in the number of people killed to 18.
Saidu said in a situation report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the death comprised adult males, females and children.
He added that the first blast by suicide bomber took place at a wedding ceremony, while the second blast occured at the funeral service of victims when another female suicide bomber rushed into the congregation.
He stated that “19 people seriously injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four ambulances, while 23 others are waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic.
“I am now coordinating for a chopper tonight. I have mobilised emergency drugs to complement the shortage of drugs in Gwoza.
“The degree of injuries range from abdominal raptures, skull and limb fractures.
“I have also received a report that there is a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka,” Saidu said.
Pulka is a village not too far from Gwoza town.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the coordinated attacks, which took many by surprise, was shocking to the people of Borno who experienced such at the height of the insurgency between 2024 and 2014. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
