Reps to probe Borno suicide bombings

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate the twin suicide bombing in Gwoza, a community in Borno State.

PUNCH Online reported that the bombings which took place on Saturday, June 29, 2024, claimed about 38 lives, leaving dozens of others injured.

The House, while pledging its readiness to tackle insecurity through legislative interventions, urged the committee to report back to it in two weeks for further action.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, Ahmed Jaha, on the need to condemn the twin suicide bombing in Gwoza, as well as the need for security agencies to increase intelligence gathering and community engagement to avert a reoccurrence.

Jaha, in his motion, informed the House that last Saturday, suicide bombers targeted a wedding, funeral and a hospital “in coordinated attacks in Gwoza, Borno State. ”

He noted that the terror attack resulted “on the loss of not less than 30 innocent lives and caused immeasurable grief and suffering to the affected community with many battling with their lives at the various hospitals.”

Jaha, a member of the All Progressives Congress, noted that the attacks underscore the threat posed by terrorism in the country, even as he called on the security agencies to enhance their intelligence gathering, as well as engagement with local communities to prevent future occurrences.

He said, “Intelligence gathering is a critical tool in the fight against terrorism, and it is essential that our security forces pave the necessary resources and support to gather timely and actionable intelligence to prevent attacks before they occur.

“Community engagement plays a vital role in building trust and cooperation between security forces and residents. By fostering strong relationships with communities, our security agencies can gather valuable information, identify potential threats, and disrupt terrorist activities before they escalate into violence.”

Contributing to the motion, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, representing Wase Federal Constituency, Plateau State, Idris Wase, called for serious efforts against terrorism even as he urged the Federal Government to go after the sponsors of all forms of criminality across the country.