…Troops ensure to take terrorists out of the battlefield
From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Head Quarters has confirmed that 20 persons were killed while 52 others sustained various degrees of injuries during the suicide bombing incident that occurred last Saturday 29th of June, 2024 at Gwazo Local Government Area of Borno state.
In a statement signed and issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director, of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said over the weekend, troops of Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai in the North East theatre recorded a series of reprehensible terror attacks in Gworza LGA of Borno State.
He said the coordinated attacks comprised of multiple Person Bourne Improvised Explosive Device ( PBIED), otherwise known as suicide bombings.
Major General Buba noted that all the attacks took place on Saturday, 29 June 2024. Explaining that the first was recorded at about 1500hrs when a female suicide bomber disguised as a beggar invaded a wedding reception at Mararaba Hausari Street and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device.
Thereafter, he said at about 1700hrs, while efforts were on to stabilise and move casualties of the initial explosion to the hospital for further treatment. There was a second detonation from another female suicide bomber and the second explosion was on the same street and near the first explosion.
According to him, “Troops immediately imposed a curfew on the community to get members of the community indoors and prevent further casualties. However, while troops and hybrid forces were enforcing the curfew a third explosion was recorded.
“The third explosion targeted the troops enforcing the curfew. The troops were attacked from behind by a third lady strapped with an IED vest. The explosion killed a soldier and two members of hybrid forces.
“The fourth incident was averted when the suspect was identified early enough and she detonated the bomb prematurely whereby she became the only casualty. On the whole, 20 persons were killed while 52 sustained various degrees of injuries and receiving treatment.
“The armed forces view every life lost as a result of the ongoing war, whether civilian or military, as an immense tragedy. The sad loss of life is a tragedy for society, the community and the nation. Accordingly, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen CG MUSA, officers and members of the armed forces, we express our condolences even as we mourn with all who have lost loved ones. We also commiserate with all victims needing healing and recovery.
“Given that we are in a state of war, it must be recognized that this despicable act is a response to recent successes in ongoing military operations. Indeed, our recent operations have decapitated the leadership of the terrorists, depleted their resources, reduced their support base and reduced their influence.
“The terrorists embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline. Citizens must see through the smoke screen of the terrorist. We must realize that terrorist aims to counter the reports of their weakness and create panic in the general population.
“The military is aware that in this phase of their ending life-cycle, the terrorists are desperate to attract attention, bolster relevancy, mobilise recruits, reduce support for the armed forces and reduce support for the government.
“Accordingly, we call on citizens to stand united, remain vigilant, and continue to support efforts of the armed forces to ensure a secure and peaceful future. The fate of the terrorists that perpetrated this insecurity will be violent and short as troops will stop at nothing to take them out of the battlefield.”
