The United Nations (UN) has condemned the suicide bomb attacks in Gwoza town in Borno state that targeted civilian populations.
The attacks, which took place on Saturday have resulted in at least 18 deaths and dozens of injuries.
The attacks, carried out by suspected female suicide bombers, struck a wedding, a hospital, and a funeral in Gwoza, a town near the border with Cameroon.
According to the Borno State Police Command spokesman, Nahum Daso, on Sunday, three blasts took place on Saturday in Gwoza.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, in a statement on Sunday, expressed his horror and condemnation of the attacks in the strongest terms.
“I am horrified by this attack on civilian populations and condemn such acts in the strongest terms. I stand in solidarity with the Government of Nigeria and the families and communities of all those affected,” he stated.
Fall also reminded all parties involved in the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm.
He emphasised the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the victims of the attacks and conveyed his condolences to the Borno State Government.
“I have reached out to the Borno State Government to express my condolences and offer any support that the United Nations and the humanitarian community can provide to aid the victims of the attack,” he added.
Meanwile, the authorities in Borno State have arrested two female suicide bombers in connection with the Saturday devastating attack in Gwoza.
The attackers reportedly infiltrated Gwoza from different locations, including Pulka and the Mandara mountains.
The incident, described as one of the deadliest in the state in recent months, left over 30 individuals injured, with injuries ranging from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.
According to a local government official, a group of 30 female suicide bombers had been sent into Gwoza to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at various locations within the area.
The official revealed that so far, only four of the suicide bombers had exploded. One of the bombers, who came from the Pulka Axis, panicked during military interrogation at a checkpoint and detonated the IED, resulting in casualties including a soldier and a civilian JTF member.
The Director-General of SEMA, Barkindo Saidu, witnessed the first blast during a marriage ceremony celebration in Gwoza.
He recounted, “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.” Another blast followed near the General Hospital shortly after.
A survivor of the attack recounted that the first bomber had a baby on her back when she detonated the IED at the wedding venue in Tashan Mararaba near the Fire Service in Gwoza town.
