Authorities have arrested two female suicide bombers in Borno State in connection with the recent detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Gwoza, resulting in at least 18 deaths.
A local government official confirmed to Channels Television that 30 female suicide bombers were sent to Gwoza with the mission to detonate IEDs at various locations. Thus far, four of the bombers have detonated their explosives.
One of the bombers, originating from the Pulka Axis, detonated her IED during a military interrogation at a checkpoint, killing herself, a soldier, and a civilian Joint Task Force member.
The attackers infiltrated Gwoza from different directions, with some coming from Pulka and others from the Mandara mountains.
The recent attack, one of the deadliest in the state in recent months, injured over 30 individuals, causing a range of injuries from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.
Barkindo Saidu, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), witnessed the first explosion. “In my presence, at about 3 PM, the first bomb blast in Gwoza occurred, detonated by a female suicide bomber in the midst of the marriage ceremony celebration,” he reported.
The blast resulted in numerous injuries and instant deaths. Another explosion occurred minutes later around General Hospital.
The wedding took place at Tashan Mararaba near the Fire Service in Gwoza town. A survivor recounted that the first bomber carried a baby on her back when she detonated the IED.
READ ALSO: Eighteen Killed and Over Thirty Injured in Gwoza Suicide Bombings
As people gathered to bury the wedding victims, a third bomber, a woman, detonated another IED, resulting in further casualties. While emergency officials were coordinating the rescue mission at the hospital, a fourth blast was triggered by a female teenager.
“So far, 18 deaths comprise children, adult males, females, and pregnant women. Nineteen seriously injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four ambulances,” Saidu said. At the time of his report, 23 individuals were waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic. Evacuation efforts continued into the night, with Saidu coordinating from Gwoza.
Saidu also mentioned receiving a report of a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka but did not provide additional details. In response to the attacks, the military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza Local Government Area.
