Following the initial report of six recorded deaths and several injured persons in the suicide bombings that occurred in Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State on 29 June.-
The current death toll has risen beyond the 18 confirmed by the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Saturday. The perpetrators are suspected to be members of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
The director-general of Borno SEMA, Barkindo Saidu, initially said in a situation report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria that the 18 dead were adult males, females and children – saying a suicide bomber detonation took place at a wedding ceremony. At the same time, the second blast occurred at the funeral service of the victims when another female suicide bomber rushed into the congregation.
Saidu said “19 people seriously injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four ambulances, while 23 others are waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic. I am now coordinating for a chopper tonight. I have mobilised emergency drugs to complement the shortage of drugs in Gwoza.
He added that “The degree of injuries range from abdominal raptures, skull and limb fractures. I have also received a report that there is a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka.” A village which is a short distance from Gwoza town.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the coordinated surprise attacks were shocking to the people of Borno, who experienced such at the height of the insurgency between 2014 and 2024.
Initially, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nahum Daso, had on Saturday confirmed eight persons dead, and 15 others sustaining critical injuries in the attacks. An update by the DG of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA), Barkindo Saidu, which was made available to journalists on early Sunday, revealed that the figure of the dead as of Saturday night had risen to 18, while the 19 who sustained various degrees of injuries were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Maiduguri.
However, later on Sunday, 30 June the number of deaths had risen from 18 to 21 with three more wounded persons confirmed dead, while 41 others were confirmed to have sustained various degrees of injuries – including those later evacuated from Gwoza, still recuperating at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and State Specialist hospital in Maiduguri.
It is widely reported that four different suicide bombings occurred on Saturday, 29 June in the Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State. The locations of the attacks are tipped to be areas where the Ali Ngulde Boko Haram faction operates— a group whose capacities after the death of its leader Abubakar Shekau were subdued by a band of its members now aligned with Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP).
DEATH TOLL BY 01 JULY 2024
On Monday, 01 July the vice president, Kashim Shettima announced that the death toll from the Gwoza suicide bombing has risen to 32, with 26 victims still receiving medical treatment. Initially, 42 victims were hospitalized, but two later succumbed to injuries.
During a visit to the victims at General Hospital in Maiduguri on Monday, the VP expressed shock on behalf of the Federal Government (FG) over the Saturday incident and promised to take preventative measures to prevent future occurrences.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu directed him to visit the victims and ensure security actions are taken to protect Nigerian lives and properties. He explained that out of the 42 hospitalized victims, 14 have been discharged, while the remaining 26 are still receiving treatment. Shettima assured that the FG and Borno government will support the victims and cover their medical expenses.
