0
0
No fewer than 10 people were killed after a suicide bomber attacked a local food joint in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State on Friday night, June 20.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the attack occurred at about 10:00 p.m. and that an investigation is underway to determine the exact number of casualties.
“Yesterday, around 22:00 in Konduga, someone unfortunately invaded a gathering with a bomb, killing over 10 persons. We have deployed our EOD experts, together with the military and other security agencies, to the town. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain what actually happened. Details are still scanty,” Daso said.
However, counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama reported that at least 24 people lost their lives in the explosion, which was allegedly carried out by a female suicide bomber.
“Police sources said the explosion fatally wounded 24 persons, both male and female, while an unspecified number of others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The body of the suicide bomber was torn apart by the blast, with only the head recovered,” Makama said.
Following the incident, a joint team comprising the Military, Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) units, Tactical Teams, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters visited the scene.
The area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched for additional explosive devices, but none were found. Authorities say normalcy has since been restored to the area.
Injured victims were evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where they are receiving treatment. The bodies of the deceased have also been deposited at the hospital. Medical personnel on duty confirmed the fatalities.
Makama added that efforts are ongoing to profile the victims and release the bodies to their families for burial in accordance with religious rites.
