Senate chief whip, Ali Ndume, has called for intervention over the rise in female bombers in Borno State.
Ndume’s call followed the director-general of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Barkindo Saibu’s vivid account of teenage female suicide bombers who detonated the explosives that killed 28 children, pregnant women and others on Saturday in Gwoza in four separate attacks.
Ndume hails from Gwoza.
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Speaking on the situation, Ndume called on the military to double its efforts and appreciated their efforts and how they’ve reduced cases of terrorism in the state.
Ndume, however, expressed worry that, given last weekend’s attacks, there was an urgent need to raise the bar and provide more surveillance and security in the State to prevent future occurrences.
“The last attack at the weekend was a big shock. We need to double our efforts. Our military is trying, and we must commend them. But we need to raise their game and take out these people. The recent attack in my community, Gwoza, is unacceptable.
“I’m visiting to ascertain the level of the attack and see how we can bring help to those affected. We call on the federal government to do something and bring this carnage to an end. This is my appeal,” he said
Saibu (DG), who decried the situation, said teenage girls detonated some of the bombs that killed many in the unfortunate incidents.
He said, “In the first blast, a female suicide bomber detonated it at a marriage ceremony, injuring over 30 and causing instant deaths.
“In the second blast, it was almost like the first. It occurred near the General Hospital. The third blast happened at a funeral service (Janaiza). Another female suicide bomber detonated it, causing more casualties.
“In the fourth blast, a female teenager detonated a bomb at the hospital, injuring more people.
“In all, there were 21 deaths (children, adult males, females, and pregnant women); 19 were seriously injured and transported to Maiduguri in four ambulances, and 23 are waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic.
“Regarding the injuries, there were abdominal raptures, skull fractures, limb fractures, among others. There were coordinated rescue missions. We mobilised emergency drugs to complement shortages in Gwoza. We arranged for a chopper transport,” he said.