The Defence Headquarters, on Tuesday, described last Saturday’s suicide bombings in Borno State as acts of cowardice by Boko Haram terrorists.
The DHQ, which insisted that Boko Haram insurgents had been significantly degraded, vowed a decisive clampdown on the terrorists.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, stated this on Tuesday in response to the Saturday multiple bombings in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
As of Monday, the death toll from the attack was 32. While 14 victims were discharged from the hospital, 12 remained on admission battling for their lives.
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate the Borno attacks.
The suicide bombings were the deadliest in recent times and generated significant attention both locally and internationally.
Explaining how the incidents happened, the DHQ spokesman, Edward said, “Over the weekend, troops of Joint Task Force OP Hadin Kai in the North-East theatre recorded a series of reprehensible terror attacks in the Gworza LGA of Borno State. The coordinated attacks comprised multiple person-borne 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 in close proximity to 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 varying degrees of injury and are receiving treatment.”
Buba said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, commiserated with all the victims of the incidents.
He said the attacks were attempts at reprisal by the terrorists for the successes being recorded against them by the military.
Edward said, “Given that we are in a state of war, it must be recognised that this despicable act is a response to recent successes in ongoing military operations. Indeed, our recent operations have decapitated the leadership of the terrorists, depleted their resources, reduced their support base and reduced their influence.
“Clearly, the terrorists embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline. Citizens must see through the smokescreen of the terrorists. We must realise that the terrorist aims to counter the reports of their weakness and create panic in the general population.”
Edward said troops would ensure the terrorists pay for the deadly attacks on the battlefield.
“We call 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 who perpetrated this insecurity will be violent and short as troops will stop at nothing to take them out of the battlefield,” he said.
Reps launch probe
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate the suicide bombing in Gwoza, a community in Borno State.
The House, while pledging its readiness to tackle insecurity through legislative interventions, urged the committee to report back to it in two weeks for further action.
The resolution of the House followed the the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, Ahmed Jaha on need to condemn the sucide bombings in Gwoza, as well as the need for security agencies to increase intelligence gathering and community engagement to avert a reoccurrence.
Jaha, in his motion, informed the House that last Saturday, suicide bombers targeted a wedding, funeral and a hospital “in coordinated attacks in Gwoza, Borno State. “
He noted that the terror attack resulted “in the loss of not less than 30 innocent lives and caused immeasurable grief and suffering to the affected community with many battling with their lives at the various hospitals.”
Jaha, a member of the All Progressives Congress noted that the attacks underscored the threat posed to the country by terrorism.
He said, “Intelligence gathering is a critical tool in the fight against terrorism, and it is essential that our security forces pave the necessary resources and support to gather timely and actionable intelligence to prevent attacks before they occur.
“Community engagement plays a vital role in building trust and cooperation between security forces and local residents. By fostering strong relationships with communities, our security agencies can gather valuable information, identify potential threats, and disrupt terrorist activities before they escalate into violence.”
Contributing to the motion, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, representing Wase Federal Constituency, Plateau State, Idris Wase, called for serious efforts against terrorism even as he urged the Federal Government to go after the sponsors of all forms of criminality across the country.
