Residents of Gwoza Community of Borno State are still counting their losses since the area was attacked on Saturday by suicide bombers. The people are still narrating harrowing experiences of how they lost their loved ones on the Saturday bomb attack.
According to reports, many people, including a soldier, and some wedding guests were killed by the suicide bombers. Several others were injured and were taken to the hospital.
Recall that ISUIKWUATO VOICE reported that four suicide bombers launched attacks at different spots in Gwoza on Saturday.
The attacks happened simultaneously in Gwoza and Pulka towns, all in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
According to the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Dr Barkindo M. Saidu, said the incident claimed 19 lives.
He said, 18 persons; comprising children, adult male, females, and pregnant women died due to the bomb blast. While 19 others who were seriously injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four ambulances.
DAILY TRUST stated that Gwoza is located on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains. As a result, thereof, the community serves as sanctuaries for Boko Haram fighters. The Community had suffered devastating attacks in the nearly fifteen years of the insurgency.
“Hundreds of people have been killed. Many injured and houses, markets, hospitals, police stations and other symbols of authority destroyed.
DT, however, reported that incidents of suicide bombing have not been reported for a long time in the area, until Saturday’s resurgence.
According to reports from the Maiduguri General Hospital where those that sustained injuries are receiving treatment, the atmosphere is tense. This is as relatives besieged the facility to see the wounded.
One of the residents of Gwoza, who spoke to journalists, Buba Shehu, said he lost five of his family members.
According to him, the incident happened so fast that the whole scenario seemed as if it was a movie.
“This is just like a dream; I have lost five people in my family in less than 24 hours. Three died yesterday (Saturday). And this is as a result of the dastardly act by suicide bomber during wedding reception at our family house in Gwoza.
“We also received a call this (Sunday) morning that two people passed away due to lack of blood in their bodies. So, personally, I lost three family members and two of my good friends. This is painful,” he said.
Shehu said “Many of our friends left Maiduguri to attend the wedding in Gwoza. Unfortunately, seven are currently receiving treatment in this hospital. As at last night, we lost 20 persons and 30 others wounded.
“But this (Sunday) morning, we lost one person in Maiduguri. And two of our relatives died in Gwoza in the early hours.”
Another relative of the victims, Abdul Umaru, was all sorrowful. According to him, he lost two persons while two others who were critically wounded were currently battling with their lives.
“I wanted to travel for the wedding but there was a challenge of logistics. And I was furious with myself for missing the wedding ceremony in our family house.
“Only for me to hear that there was suicide attack during reception. Two of my uncles lost their lives. Two of my elder brothers are currently undergoing a series of treatments due to wounds they suffered from the attacks. We are broken and you can see hundreds of people in this place. It is sad. You see someone and next day, you hear that some useless people have killed him,” he bemoaned.
The Secretary of Gwoza LGA, Hajiya Fatimah Musa, has announced the arrest of three suspected suicide bombers. She stated that suspects were arrested in Gwoza and Pulka, following the imposition of curfew by the military on the troubled town.
Musa stated that the actions of the military would restore peace in the areas. She, therefore, urged residents of the community to support and report any suspicious activities within their general areas to the security agencies.
Musa, however, confirmed that casualties from the attacks was 21 deaths. This comprises women and children. She said 48 people were seriously injured.
She said, “We lost one person among those who were taken to Maiduguri yesterday (Saturday). We also got a report that two people died yesterday. And they have been buried according to Islamic rites.”
The Secretary, therefore, added that a total of 42 people had been admitted in the hospital. These, she said, included 12 taken to Maiduguri on Saturday night and 31 others equally transported at noon on Saturday.
source: Daily Trust
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