Dr. Barkindo Saidu, Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), described the horrific suicide attacks in Borno State that claimed the lives of pregnant women and children. These attacks occurred on Saturday and targeted a wedding and a funeral in Gwoza.
According to Dr. Saidu, 18 people were killed, including children, adult males, females, and pregnant women.
“So far, we have 18 deaths, comprising children, adult male, females, and pregnant women, while the 19 persons that are seriously injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four ambulances,” he said.
Additionally, 23 people are waiting for military escort at the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic.
Dr. Saidu, who was on the scene in Gwoza, described the injuries as severe, including abdominal ruptures, skull fractures, and limb fractures. The first explosion occurred around 3:00 PM when a female suicide bomber detonated her device at a wedding, affecting over 30 celebrants. Minutes later, another bomb went off near the General Hospital during a funeral service, causing further casualties.
“We were in the hospital coordinating the rescue mission, and another one exploded from a female teenager,” he added.
Dr. Saidu also mentioned a suspected suicide bombing in Pulka town, also in Gwoza LGA, but provided no further details.
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Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, condemned the attacks and called on the federal government to take immediate action to stop the killings.
“The last attack at the weekend was a big shock. We need to double our efforts. Our military is trying, and we must commend them, but they need to raise their game and take out these people. The recent attack in my community, Gwoza, is unacceptable,” he stated.
Senator Ndume plans to visit the affected areas to assess the situation and provide help to those impacted. He urged the federal government to end the violence in Borno.
“This is my appeal,” he said.