Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said 20 persons were killed and 52 injured in the four suicide bomb attacks that took place on June 29, 2024 in Gwoza local government area of Borno State.
In a statement yesterday, the director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the 52 injured are receiving treatment.
General Buba, who commiserated with the victims, said the terrorists have resorted to suicide bombing due to military successes in the theatre.
He said the first suicide bombing happened at about 1500hrs when a female suicide bomber disguised as a beggar and invaded a wedding reception at Mararaba Hausari Street and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
He said at about 1700hrs, while efforts were on to stabilise and move casualties of the initial explosion to hospital for further treatment, there was a second detonation from another female suicide bomber.
General Buba said the second explosion occurred on the same street near the first explosion.
The director said that following the incident, troops immediately imposed a curfew on the community to keep members indoors and prevent further casualties.
However, while troops and hybrid forces were enforcing the curfew, a third explosion occurred.
He said the third explosion targeted the troops enforcing the curfew, adding that the troops were attacked from behind by a third lady strapped with an IED vest, killing one soldier and two members of hybrid forces.
General Buba said the fourth incident was averted when the suspect was identified early enough and therefore, detonated the bomb prematurely hence, became the only casualty.
“On the whole, 20 persons were killed while 52 sustained various degrees of injuries and receiving treatment.
“The armed forces view every life lost as a result of the ongoing war, whether civilian or military, as an immense tragedy. The sad loss of life is a tragedy for society, the community and the nation. Accordingly, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen C.G. Musa, officers and armed forces members, we express our condolences even as we mourn with all who have lost loved ones. We also commiserate with all victims needing healing and recovery”.
He stated further that the despicable act of suicide bombing „is a response to recent successes in ongoing military operations.“
„Indeed, our recent operations have decapitated the leadership of the terrorists, depleted their resources, reduced their support base and reduced their influence,“ he added.
He said, „The terrorists embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline.“
He, therefore, urged citizens to see through the smokescreen of the terrorists, which aims to counter the reports of their weakness and create panic in the general population.
He said the military, on the other hand, is aware that in this phase of their ending life-cycle, „the terrorists are desperate to attract attention, bolster relevancy, mobilise recruits, reduce support for the armed forces and reduce support for the government. Accordingly, we call on citizens to stand united, remain vigilant, and continue to support efforts of the armed forces to ensure a secure and peaceful future“.
He assured that „the fate of the terrorists that perpetrated this insecurity will be violent and short as troops will stop at nothing to take them out of the battlefield.“