No fewer than six people have been killed with 15 others injured in a suicide attack in Gwoza, Borno.
Tragedy struck when the suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device in Gwoza town.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the attack occurred at a busy motor park known as Marrarraban Gwoza.
Borno State Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Lawal, confirmed the attack saying that it was carried out by a female suicide bomber.
Lawal said he was informed by the Divisional Police Officer in Gwoza that at least, six people were killed with 15 others evacuated to the hospital.
An eyewitness, who identified himself as Buba, told NAN that the suicide bomber targeted a wedding ceremony.
Buba said that the attack shattered the joy and celebration of the special day, leaving families and loved ones in mourning.
Muhammed Kasim, another witness said that the attack happened around 1:30 pm.
“We heard a loud sound of explosives, accompanied by dust; then we saw bodies on the ground.
He said several victims were evacuated to the hospital while security agencies were deployed to sanitise the area.
However, a JTF source, who spoke with NewsNow on condition of anonymity because he was not qualified to speak officially on the matter, said, “I’m not too sure of the exact number of those who were killed because I was not at the exact event, but some of the people are mentioning six, others are saying seven, but the figure is more than what they are mentioning; that is what we suspect.
“You know the event was a wedding party, and many visitors and guests were in attendance. That is why I’m telling you that confidently, as my friend.”
The JTF source, who said a team of government officials was already at the spot to conduct an investigation, added, “You see why I told you that more than six persons must have been killed because two suicide bombers were on the loose and they detonated two IEDs.
“The first explosion was at a wedding venue in Gwoza town. The first bomber was a nursing mother carrying a baby on her back when she stormed the venue at Tashan Mararaba near the Fire Service in Gwoza town and detonated the IED.
“We heard that the bomber was identified as a young mother in her early 20s who pretended to be a guest at the wedding.
“The other incident happened shortly after, while the mourners were trying to bury the dead persons, another bomber disguised as a mourner detonated another IED at the burial ground, killing more people and injuring several other people who were rushed to the General Hospital in Gwoza for medical treatment.”
NewsNow reliably gathered that soldiers had reportedly taken over the streets of Gwoza.
However, a counter insurgency expert, ZagaZola Makama, was quoted by a media to have confirmed that the attack occurred during a funeral.
In a post on his X handle, he wrote, “Another bomber, who disguised as a mourner, has detonated another explosive device in Gwoza Local Government Area as the people were preparing for the funeral of the victims killed in an attack few hours ago.
“The victims, who were all civilians, were gathered to pay their respects to the deceased when the attack occurred. At least, one additional person died while 16 others were injured and rushed to the hospital.”
Meanwhile, NewsNow gathered that a curfew had been announced in Gwoza by the military to enable it effectively sanitise and patrol the town in a bid to further deter more attacks from any further threat.”