The State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has said that eighteen people killed and more than 30 persons with risky injuries on Saturday as four suicide bombers set off Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Gwoza, Borno State. The Director-General of SEMA, Barkindo Saidu said “In my presence, at about 3pm, the first bomb blast in Gwoza occurred, detonated by a female suicide bomber in the midst of the marriage ceremony celebration, near the Fire Service in Gwoza town”.
“It affected more than 30 persons with various levels of injuries and instant death. Some minutes later, another blast occurred around General Hospital.”
A survivor said the first bomber was carrying a baby on her back when she stormed the venue and detonated the IED.
As people gathered to bury those killed at the wedding, Saidu said a third bomber, a lady, detonated another IED with a lot of casualties.
While emergency officials were in the hospital coordinating the rescue mission, a fourth blast was set off by a female teenager.
“So far, 18 deaths comprise children, adult males, females, and pregnant women, 19 badly injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four ambulances,” Saidu said.
At the time he released the situation report, he said 23 were waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic.
The military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza LGA in the wake of the attacks.