Tears as victims of Borno suicide bombing laid to rest

The town of Konduga was plunged into mourning on Saturday as families and residents gathered to bury victims of a devastating suicide bombing that claimed at least 24 lives and left several others injured.

The attack, carried out by a female suicide bomber on Friday night, targeted a crowded food joint in Konduga Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror and chaos as the blast tore through the gathering.

Confirming the incident, Borno State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said the attacker detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in the midst of residents who had assembled in large numbers to buy food.

“Following the incident, a joint response team comprising the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, Military, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters was deployed to the scene,” he added.

According to Daso, the force of the explosion dismembered the suicide bomber’s body, with only the head recovered from the scene.

He noted that the area was immediately cordoned off and thoroughly searched for additional explosive devices, but none were found.

“The injured victims were evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where they are currently receiving treatment, while the remains of the deceased were also deposited at the hospital mortuary.

“The victims were confirmed dead by medical personnel on duty,” he said.

Daso added that security had been stepped up in Konduga and its surrounding communities to prevent further attacks and restore public confidence.