A female suicide bomber on Friday night blew up herself alongside customers at a crowded food joint in Konduga town, Borno State.
NATIONAL POST learnt that at least 24 people were killed and several others injured as the suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device, IED.
The attack occurred around 10:00 p.m. on Friday in the town located about 36 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital.
Sources said the female attacker entered the popular food spot before setting off the explosive, instantly killing several people. Police and emergency responders confirmed that both men and women were among the 24 people killed in the blast. Many others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The body of the bomber was shattered by the explosion, with only her head recovered at the scene.
A combined team of security operatives, including military personnel, police Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear, CBRN, teams, Tactical Units, Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, and local hunters responded swiftly to the incident. The area was cordoned off and searched, but no additional explosives were found.
The injured victims were evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, for treatment, while the corpses of the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s morgue. Medical officials at the hospital confirmed the casualty figures.
Reacting to the incident, Vice-President Kashim Shettima described it as a heinous act of terrorism against innocent civilians.
He urged security agencies to go after those involved in the incident, just as he rallied support for victims and families of the deceased.
”The government stands with them in this difficult time and will provide all necessary support.
“The administration of His Excellency, President Bola 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,” Shettima said.
Meanwhile, while eyewitnesses gave the death as 24, the Borno State Police Command confirmed that 12 people died while 18 sustained injuries.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, on Saturday.