A suicide bombing in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State late Friday night has left more than 10 people dead and many others injured.
The attack happened around 10pm at a busy local food joint where residents were gathered to eat and relax.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the deadly blast. Spokesperson for the command, ASP Nahum Daso, said efforts are ongoing to gather full details.
“Yesterday, around 22:00 in Konduga, just unfortunately, somebody invaded a gathering with a bomb, killing over 10 persons,” he said.
Emergency Teams Move In as Police Begin Investigation
Security officials, including the military and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, have been deployed to the area. Daso explained that the police are working with other agencies to secure the town and carry out a full investigation.
“We have deployed our EOD experts, together with the military and other security agencies, to the town,” he added. “Investigation is ongoing to ascertain what actually or really happened. The detail is still scanty.”
Residents in Konduga said the bomber targeted a spot where people usually gather for evening meals. According to eyewitnesses, the explosion caught everyone off guard.
One local source described the terrifying moment: “It is a busy joint where people come together, buy food and eat. There are passersby and others. Everything was going normal until a loud sound was heard. It was a devastating moment. Many people died.”
The attacker was reportedly burnt beyond recognition. Victims who sustained injuries were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Some of the wounded were in critical condition as medical workers tried to save lives.
This attack is one of the deadliest in Konduga in recent months.
The town, located about 25 kilometres from Maiduguri, has witnessed previous terror attacks in the past, mostly blamed on insurgent groups operating in the region. Security remains tight across the area as officials assess the situation.
No group has yet claimed responsibility, but in the past, Boko Haram insurgents have been known to use suicide bombers to attack residents and instil a sense of siege in Borno State.
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