Details have emerged on how an estimated 30 persons were killed and about 100 injured in dual suicide attacks in Borno state.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Details have emerged on how an estimated 30 persons were killed and about 100 injured in dual suicide attacks in Borno state. Police sources however put the number of deaths at six and 15 injured in one of the attacks.
The victims were killed or wounded when suicide bombers attacked wedding and funeral ceremonies in the state.
Media reports quote the Emir of Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, as confirming that the multiple suicide attacks were carried out at various locations, including a wedding reception and a burial ceremony in Gwoza town. The wedding was said to have taken place at avenue in Tashan Mararaba, Gwoza town, Borno State.
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The coordinated incidents, which took place in the afternoon, caused pandemonium as people scampered for safety.
Vanguard citing reliable sources reported: “More than 30 innocent civilians were killed, while over 100 sustained various degrees of injuries.
“Many of the victims have been evacuated to Maiduguri for medical attention.”
The medium mentioned the royal father, Timta, said, “The entire Gwoza council area is in serious mourning following multiple suicide attacks on our community.
“The first suicide attack was masterminded by an unidentified woman. She sneaked in with two children into a wedding reception of a popular young man in Gwoza. Then she detonated her Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, killing herself and many people.
“Few minutes after, another suicide bomber sneaked into a burial ceremony nearby and detonated IEDs. And as i am talking to you right now, the third explosion just occurred a few minutes ago with more casualties.
“At least, over 100 people were injured, and most of them who sustained serious injuries have been rushed to Maiduguri with military escort for proper medical attention.
“This is just a preliminary confirmation, as details of the casualties are still yet unknown. But I will keep you posted on any developments,” the Emir stated.
The Borno State Commissioner of Police (CP), Yusuf Lawal, confirmed the attack saying it was carried out by a female suicide bomber. Lawal said he was informed by the Divisional Police Officer in Gwoza, that at least six people were killed, with 15 others evacuated to the hospital.
Gwoza, a town in southern Borno borders the Cameroun Republic. It was hitherto declared Boko Haram territory. It was captured by insurgents with hundreds of people killed before it was later liberated by troops