• Incidents an isolated episode, FG on course to secure citizens, says President
• NSGF: Cowardly attacks by terrorists won’t break Northern spirit
• Region must not return to terrorism, Atiku tells govt
• Obi seeks commitment to safety of life, property
• UN affirms solidarity as Amnesty flays govt’s disregard for human life
• Two female suicide bombers arrested
• Sani optimistic on Tinubu’s handling of insecurity
The death toll from Saturday’s coordinated suicide bomb attacks in Gwoza Local Council of Borno State has reportedly risen to 23. Four female suicide bombers, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram group, had detonated explosives at different locations, resulting in the deaths of military personnel and civilians.
The first bombing was recorded at a wedding ceremony in Mararaban Gwoza. The second took place at a security checkpoint, killing a soldier and two civilians. The third happened at a shopping mall, and the fourth at a burial ground.
Also two female suicide bombers were said to have been arrested yesterday in Borno State, in connection with the attacks. A local government official told newsmen that 30 female suicide bombers were sent into Gwoza to detonate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at different locations.
According to the source, only four suicide bombers detonated their devises. The source explained that one of the bombers that came from the Pulka Axis was responding to military interrogation at the checkpoint when she panicked and detonated the IED, killing herself, the soldier, and a civilian Joint Task Force member.
It was gathered that the women came into Gwoza from different locations, some from Pulka and others from the Mandara Mountains. Boko Haram has repeatedly used young women and girls for suicide attack operations.
The group took control of Gwoza in 2014 when its militants captured swathes of territories in northern Borno. It took the joint effort of the Nigerian military with help from Chadian forces in 2015 to take back the territory.
The Director General of SEMA, Barkindo Saidu, said he witnessed the first blast.“In my presence, at about 3:00 p.m., the first bomb blast occurred, detonated by a female suicide bomber in the midst of the marriage ceremony,” he wrote in a situation report.
“It affected more than 30 persons with various levels of injuries and instant death. Some minutes later, another blast occurred around General Hospital.”
The tragedy meanwhile drew widespread condemnation, even as President Bola Tinubu declared that purveyors of wanton violence would have a certain encounter with justice.
Tinubu, in a statement by Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale, yesterday, said the cowardly attacks were only but an isolated episode, as his government would not allow the nation to slither into an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood.
The President described the attacks as desperate acts of terror and a clear manifestation of the pressure mounted against terrorists, and the success achieved in degrading their capacity to launch offensives.
He stated that his administration was taking necessary measures to secure citizens.Tinubu emphasised that efforts would be redoubled to ensure that those who troubled the nation, dispatching precious lives and disrupting law and order, were completely removed.
He condoled with victims of the attacks, the families of the deceased, as well as the government and people of Borno State. The United Nations also condemned the attacks.
Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Malik Fall, in a statement, said: “On 29 June, members of a non-state armed group allegedly attacked a wedding party in Gwoza town with a person-borne improvised explosive device. Dozens of people were reportedly killed in this attack, including children, women and men. Reportedly, this was followed by another two attacks later the same day.
“I am horrified by this attack on civilian populations and condemn such acts in the strongest terms. I stand in solidarity with the Government of Nigeria, and the families and communities of all those affected.”
Fall, on behalf of the United Nations, reminded all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect civilians from harm.
He added: “I have reached out to the Borno State Government to express my condolences and offer any support that the United Nations and the humanitarian community can provide to aid the victims of the attack.”
On its part, Amnesty International, in an X post, said: “Boko Haram must end its campaign of vicious and unlawful killings of civilians. These deplorable attacks that took place at a time people were mourning demonstrate complete disregard for human life.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar charged the Nigerian government “to make sure that the Northeast does not slide back into a theatre of terrorism and extreme violence.”He also expressed condolences to the families of victims, saying: “It is my prayer that God grants a peaceful repose to the souls of the departed.”
Speaking on X, Atiku said: “It is a sad development that the ugly incidents of terrorism are resurfacing and, indeed, metastasising in the Northeast. The reported attack by suicide bombers at a wedding reception, funeral procession, and a hospital on Saturday stands condemned.
“It is unfortunate that much of the pushback that had been achieved against the Boko Haram terror sect is being cancelled, owing mainly to the government’s lacklustre posture to hold firmly on the frontline.
“It is thus important to call on the federal authorities to wake up to their responsibility and to make sure that the Northeast does not slide back into a theatre of terrorism and extreme violence.”
The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, said Nigerians “must remain unwavering in our demand for the security of life and property in our nation.”
Speaking via his X handle, Obi said his heart went out to all the families who lost dear ones to “the raging insecurity in the nation, especially in these recent attacks.” He also prayed that God would grant eternal rest to the dead and quick recovery to the wounded.
“We must not succumb to the dark forces contending with the peaceful existence of our nation,” Obi said. According to him, the horrible spate of killings, violence and terror attacks have not only robbed Nigerians of opportunities for growth and development but have continued to cost the precious lives of loved ones.
The former Anambra State Governor added: “Gradually, the impression is being created that insecurity has overwhelmed the state while our responses are more of weak ineffective reactions.
“This unpalatable security situation is denying citizens the right to peaceful living and even threatening the fabric of our national existence and putting to question the commitment of the leaders to put an end to the menace of insecurity.”
Also, the chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Inuwa Yahaya, expressed deep condolences to the victims, government and people of Borno, following the attacks.
He disclosed this in a statement signed by Alhaji Ismaila Misili, Director General, Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe, yesterday. Yahaya, who is also the Governor of Gombe, strongly condemned the heinous act, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and left many injured. He described the attack as cowardly, stressing that such acts of terror have no place in a peaceful and progressive society.
“These cowardly attacks by bloodthirsty terrorists will never break the spirit of the peace-loving people of Northern Nigeria and our great nation,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the relentless efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in combating terrorism and the pressure being mounted against the criminal elements. He expressed a firm belief that with sustained efforts and cooperation among security agencies, the menace of terrorism would be effectively curtailed.
“We must ensure that our security apparatus is always a step ahead of these terrorists. Enhanced intelligence and proactive measures are vital in preventing such tragic incidents,” he said.
Yahaya also commended the Borno Government for its swift response and measures taken to stabilise the situation and reassure the affected communities
“Governor Babagana Zulum and his administration have shown exemplary leadership in the face of this tragedy. Their prompt actions have helped in calming the situation and providing immediate relief to the victims,” he said.
Yahaya further called for collective resilience and unity among the people of Northern Nigeria, saying: “We must stand together, undeterred by these acts of terror. Our unity and resolve will ultimately defeat the forces of darkness and ensure lasting peace and security in our region.”
The NSGF chairman reassured the victims and their families of support and solidarity of the Northern state governors.“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. The NSGF stands united in solidarity with you and remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure peace and stability prevail across the region and nation in general,” he said.
Meanwhile, civil rights crusader and a former senator, Shehu Sani, in a dash of optimism, said: “Security challenges will be over in the whole country because what we have now is better than the one we had during the Buhari administration. There is evidence that many of the top terrorists have been eliminated by our security forces. And if you compare what we are having today to what we had yesterday, it is still the best.”
Sani spoke at the 40th anniversary and reunion of the ‘84 set of Kagara Old Boys Association, an association of old students of Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Council of Niger State. The event was held at Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School in Minna, the state capital.
