By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
Following the sad occurrence that erupted on Saturday, 29th June, the Defence Headquarters has termed the terrorist bomb strikes in Gwoza, Borno State, as an ego-driven and evil situation which deserves to be met with similar response from the country’s military forces.
In an explanation of the events, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Buba Edward, of the DHQ said in a statement on Tuesday that the individual strikes in Gwoza were each carried out by four female suicide bombers.
Recall also that in his own response to this unfortunate event, President Bola Tinubu had said, in a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, that he would “ensure that those who trouble the nation, dispatching precious lives, and disrupting law and order are completely removed.”
The gruesome act, which has resulted in the killing of over 32 people after the visit of vice president, Kashim Shettima, also attracted condemnation from both local and foreign authorities.
The alleged female suicide bombers carried out the attacks on a funeral, hospital, and wedding in Gwoza, a town close to the Cameroonian border.
General Buba also noted that the first attack involved a woman posing as a beggar at a wedding reception. The second attack happened on the same street while efforts were being made to stabilise casualties. The third attack happened as forces were enforcing a curfew imposed on the residents, while the fourth event involved a suicide bomber who prematurely detonated the bomb after being detected early.
“Over the weekend, troops of Joint Task Force OP HADIN KAI in the NE theatre recorded a series of reprehensible terror attacks in Gworza LGA of Borno State. The coordinated attacks comprised multiple Person Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices, otherwise known as suicide bombings.
“All the attacks took place on Saturday, 29 June 2024. The first was recorded at about 1500hrs when a female suicide bomber disguised as a beggar invaded a wedding reception at Mararaba Hausari Street and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device.
“Thereafter, 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. The second explosion was on the same street and near the first explosion. Troops immediately imposed a curfew on the community to get members of the community indoors and prevent further casualties. However, while troops and hybrid forces were enforcing the curfew a third explosion was recorded.
“The third explosion targeted the troops enforcing the curfew. The troops were attacked from behind by a third lady strapped with an IED vest. The explosion killed a soldier and two members of hybrid forces.
“The fourth incident was averted when the suspect was identified early enough and she detonated the bomb prematurely whereby she became the only casualty. On the whole, 20 persons were killed while 52 sustained various degrees of injuries and receiving treatment,” the statement read.
While speaking further, Buba confirmed that the whole incident is a tragedy to the Nigerian army, stressing that it is evident that the Army will respond decisively to the perpetrators of violence.
Thus, he pledged that military forces would ensure the terrorists paid for the evil act on the front lines, while calling on citizens to stand united, remain vigilant, and continue to support the efforts of the armed forces to ensure a secure and peaceful future.
“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,” he vowed.
