Insecurity: suicide bomber kills 24 in Borno, FG vows swift response
By Emma Ogbuehi
On the heels of last Friday night’s suicide bombing in Borno State, which left no fewer than 24 people dead, the Federal government has vowed that those responsible for the despicable act will face the full weight of the law.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who made the pledge on Saturday, slammed the suicide bombing by a female at a local food joint in Konduga Local Government Area of the state as a heinous act of terrorism against innocent civilians. The development has further escalated the regime of insecurity in Borno, which the governor, Babagana Zulum, had decried, recently.
“The federal government will not relent in our efforts to ensure that those responsible for this despicable act face the full weight of the law,” Shettima said in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.
The Vice President extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Borno State while reaffirming federal government’s determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.
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He directed relevant government agencies to expedite investigation into the incident and ensure prompt support to those affected.
Several other people were injured in the attack suspected to be handiwork of Boko Haram or ISWAS insurgents.
Shettima underscored the government’s resolve to sustain the gains recorded in recent years in the fight against terrorism.
He said; “The administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains committed to restoring lasting peace and security to the Northeast and all parts of Nigeria.
“We will not allow our enemies to undermine the progress we have made in degrading their capabilities,” he added.
Spokesman for the Police Command in the state, Assistant Superintendent Nahun Daso, said the improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated at a food joint, where the attacker targeted residents who had gathered in a large number to buy food.
Daso said the body of the suicide bomber was severely dismembered by the blast, with only the head recovered from the scene.
“Following the incident, a joint response team comprising the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, Military, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters was deployed to the scene,” he added.
The police spokesperson said that the area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched for other possible explosive devices, but none was found.
“The injured victims were evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) where they are currently receiving treatment, while the remains of the deceased were also deposited at the hospital mortuary.
“The victims were confirmed dead by medical personnel on duty,” he said.
Daso said efforts were ongoing to profile the victims and contact their relatives for proper identification and burial in line with their religious practices.
He said that security had been reinforced in Konduga and surrounding communities to prevent further attacks and restore public confidence.
Before the latest incident, a bomb explosion had taken place at a local bus stop in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area of the State, in which nine people were feared dead. It was gathered that the deadly blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted at a bus stop. The explosion occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday May 31. Many people were reportedly injured.
