Borno bombing death toll rises to 31

• Terrorists kill five cops in Katsina 
• Arewa leaders condemn Borno attack, demand swift action

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the death toll from the suicide bombing attacks in Gwoza area of Borno State on Saturday is now 31.

He confirmed that out of the 42 persons brought to the specialist hospital, 14 have been discharged after receiving treatment, adding that 26 are still on medication.

The Vice President, who made a personal donation to all the victims, condoled with families of those killed by the multiple explosions.

He also conveyed the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to Gwoza people and Borno State.

Shettima was in company of the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Babagana Kingibe, Senator Ali Ndume, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, former Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda, the Director General of NEMA and other government functionaries.

BESIDES, terrorists reportedly killed five policemen and injured one other in an ambush in Katsina State, on Sunday morning. 
 
The incident was said to have occured around 6am when the security operatives were moving from their camp at Zandam village to Jibia town, in Jibia council area of the state. 
 
According to reports, after the ambush, the terrorists carted away five AK-47 rifles belonging to the slain policemen.
 
One of the victims was said to have sustained gunshot injuries, and is currently receiving medical attention at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina. 
 
It was gathered that security operatives have since been deployed in the area to enable investigation of the incident and arrest of the culprits. 
 
Jibia is among the frontline council areas contending with incessant security challenges, with several communities often coming under attacks, as well as abductions and rustlings. 
 
It is also renowned for being among the hot spots a huge number of security operatives had lost their lives and sustained injuries during attacks in recent times. 
 
Spokesperson for the state police command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, did not immediately respond to inquiries as at press time.

IN a related development, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the bombing in Gwoza community, urging the Federal Government to step up its offensive against terrorism and banditry.
 
The socio-cultural group said: “We are greatly saddened to receive news about coordinated suicide bomb attacks on Gwoza community of Borno State, as experienced on Saturday, June 29, 2024,” pointing out that, “the sordid events led to the death of at least 19 persons, including women and children (perhaps still counting), with scores of people wounded.”
 
ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammed-Baba, in a statement yesterday, noted: “Although no persons or groups have claimed responsibility for the cowardly attacks, they had all the tale tell hallmarks of the well-known terror strategies of Boko Haram religious extremist insurgents.”

“ACF observes that the attacks were specifically targeted, for maximum impact, at a wedding party, a funeral and a hospital, all soft and defenceless targets, as undertaken by brain-washed female agents.
 
“ACF strongly condemns the dastardly and evil attacks and extends condolences to the families, friends and loved ones on the loss of lives. ACF also commiserates with all victims, the whole Gwoza community, and indeed federal and Borno state governments over the tragedy.”
  
ACF stated: “No effort should be spared to ensure speedy return to normalcy for the people of Borno, and indeed, all communities across the nation under siege by extremists, insurgents, terrorists and bandits. The fight against the criminal elements must be total and uncompromising, and implemented first on firefight, and later, at the ideological levels. 
 
“Government needs to intensify the current policy on engaging with bandits, extremists and insurgents, seeking to win them back into normal society. However, the strategy must be anchored on the basis of overwhelming and demonstrable force.
 
“The terror merchants must be stopped from holding grounds, absolutely anywhere in Nigeria, for much longer.”