NO fewer than 59 people were killed in four separate attacks in Borno, Kano, Kebbi and Plateau states on Friday and Saturday.
While 30 people were killed in Kebbi State, 12 persons, who were identified as wedding guests were murdered in Plateau State.
In Borno State, 12 persons died in a suicide bombing carried out in a fish market by a woman, while in Kano State, a military mortar bomb went off along the Eastern Bypass in Kano, the State capital, on Saturday, killing five persons in the process.
12 die in Borno suicide bombing
Local sources in Konduga LGA of Borno State told one of our correspondents on Saturday that the suicide bomber was burnt beyond recognition.
Sunday PUNCH also gathered that those who were injured in the incident were rushed to a nearby hospital.
“It is a busy joint where people come together, buy food and eat. There were passersby and others.
“Everything was going normal until a loud sound was heard. It was a devastating moment. Many people died,” another local source in Borno confirmed
It was learnt that the victims were laid to rest on Saturday in line with Islamic rites at the Konduga cemetery.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that separate burial arrangements were done for the victims.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the suicide incident in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, on Saturday.
According to the statement, the explosion occurred around 9.30 pm on Friday when the suicide bomber, who had an IED strapped to her body, infiltrated a crowded section of the market and detonated the device, killing 12 people.
Police probe Kano blast
In Kano State, the blast on Saturday was reportedly from a military mortar bomb suspected to be in a truck transporting carbine.
Confirming the incident, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, said investigations had commenced on the matter, just as he confirmed that the vehicle involved in the incident came from Yobe State.
“Five people have been confirmed dead, while 10 others are currently receiving treatment in hospital,” the commissioner said.
He added that it was too early to say whether any security personnel were among the victims.
Bakori assured the public that the police would carry out a comprehensive investigation on the matter, even as he called for calm and cooperation.
“We are working diligently to uncover the cause of the explosion and assess the full extent of the damage. More details will be made available as the investigation progresses,” Bakori stated.
Bandits kill 30 in Kebbi
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Government has confirmed that 30 people lost their lives in the recent wave of banditry attacks in parts of the Zuru Emirate, describing the development as deeply tragic and unacceptable.
The confirmation came during a condolence visit led by the State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, to the affected communities of Tadurga in Zuru Local Government Area and Kyebu in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area.
The deputy governor, who represented Governor Nasir Idris, sympathized with families of the deceased and assured residents that government will intensify efforts to strengthen security across the state.
Senator Tafida said the state government will take decisive steps to secure all vulnerable areas, including blocking all illegal entry points into Tadurga and Kyebu, which have become targets of deadly attacks.
He offered prayers for the repose of the victims and asked Almighty Allah to grant their families the fortitude to bear the loss.
In a compassionate gesture, the Deputy Governor announced a relief donation of N50 million to the affected communities—N25 million each to Tadurga and Kyebu—to support victims’ families and rebuild the devastated communities.
Mob kills 12 Plateau wedding guests
The Plateau State Police Command has arrested 22 suspects in connection with the killing of 12 travellers by irate youths in Mangun village, Mangu Local Government Area of the state, on Friday night.
Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Alfred Alabo, confirmed this in a statement on Saturday.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, urged security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the victims were passengers of an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State.
It was learnt that the travellers, including children, were reportedly attacked in an ambush while travelling from Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State to attend a wedding ceremony in Qua’an Pan LGA of Plateau State.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurs around 8 pm when the travellers took a wrong turn and stopped to ask for directions.
“Instead of helping the confused travellers, the assailants, driven by deadly assumptions, descended on the bus, viciously attacking the occupants, killing 12, injuring 12 others, and setting the vehicle ablaze.
“Several others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospitals in Mangu for medical attention,” an eyewitness said.
Sunday PUNCH also gathered that troops under Operation Lafiyan Jama’a rescued the injured victims from the area.
In a video seen by one of our correspondents, some of the military personnel who carried out the rescue operation were heard attributing the attack to the absence of security checkpoints in the area.
However, the police was silent on the number of victims killed in the attack.
Alabo disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, visited the scene of the incident and had launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
“Consequently, 22 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. The CP has also deployed men from the State CID and directed them to launch an intensive investigation into the matter,” police spokesperson said.
A survivor, Ibrahim Umar, recounted the horrific experience, saying, “We stopped to ask for directions, and before we knew it, they surrounded us and started beating and attacking us with dangerous weapons. They killed the driver first and then attacked others. They burned the bus with the corpses inside.”
Describing the act as barbaric, tragic, and cruel, Abbas bemoaned a situation where Nigerians who go about their peaceful activities are killed unprovoked.
The speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, on Saturday, called for calm and urged the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
“The killings of Nigerians in whatever guise must stop forthwith. We cannot afford to be losing the lives of our compatriots in such cruel and barbaric manner. This is condemnable and unacceptable.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed in this unfortunate incident,” the statement read in part.(Punch)
