President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the attacks on citizens in Gwoza, Borno state, were manifestation of desperate acts by the degraded terrorists.
A yet-to-be identified female suicide bomber, was, Saturday, reported to have infiltrated a gathering of Gwoza residents who had assembled for a wedding programme, consequent upon which there was an explosion which killed many and injured several others.
There has been a wave of reactions to the tragedy, including that from President Tinubu who condemned the bomb attacks in very strong words.
In a statement, Sunday, the president, through his special adviser on media and publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, vowed that the culprits of the tragic act would be fished out and brought to justice.
Tinubu said the cowardly attacks were only but an isolated episode, assuring that his government would not allow the nation to slither into “an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood.”
According to the statement, the attacks were desperate acts of terror and a clear manifestation of the pressure mounted against terrorists and the success achieved in degrading their capacity to launch offensives.
While reiterating his administration’s stance to taking necessary measures to guarantee the security of lives and property, the president said efforts would be redoubled to ensure those who troubled the nation, dispatching precious lives and disrupting law and order, were completely removed.
The statement condoled with victims of the attacks, the families of the deceased, as well as the government and people of Borno state.
…Northern governors rally support
Also in a solidarity, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) said such atrocities as carried out in Gwoza have no place in a civilized society.
In a statement Sunday, Chairman NSGF and Gombe state Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said the forum expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of lives and injuries caused by the cowardly acts of terrorism.
He praised the swift response of Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration for stabilising the situation and providing immediate relief to affected communities.
While calling for resilience and unity, Governor Yahaya asserted: “We must stand together, unwavering in the face of terror.
“Our unity will ultimately triumph over these dark forces, ensuring lasting peace and security in our region.”
The forum vowed unwavering support for the victims and their families, underscoring their commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at bolstering security across northern Nigeria.
“With ongoing efforts and strengthened cooperation among security agencies, the NSGF remains optimistic that terrorism can be effectively curtailed. Enhanced intelligence and proactive measures, they argue, are critical in preventing future tragedies of this nature.
“As Northern Nigeria grapples with the aftermath of these attacks, the NSGF’s resolute stance signals a united front against terror, advocating for collective strength and vigilance to safeguard communities and restore peace,” he said.
…Ndume assures
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, has consoled the Gwoza community over the unfortunate incident.
Ndume, also a native of Gwoza local government area, was deeply shocked and saddened by the attack, especially coming at a time the displaced persons were being reintegrated into their communities more than a decade after the initial displacement.
“I’m at a loss for words, Innah Iillahi Wa Innah Ilaihi Raj’un(from Him we come and unto Him we shall return),” he said.
The lawmaker commiserated with the government and people of Borno state, the Emir of Gwoza, and particularly the residents of Gwoza, even as he called on his constituents to remain resilient, alert, and security conscious.
…Gunmen strike in Abuja suburb
And in some communities in Bwari Area Council of Abuja, about four persons were reportedly abducted following an attack by a gang of bandits who struck in the wee hours of Sunday.
Our findings showed that a 40-year-old woman, whose name was given as Alice, was killed in the ensuing confusion.
The attackers, it was gathered, stormed the Guto and Piyawe communities at about 12.30am, and later spread their reign of terror to Tudun-Fulani and Sabon Gari areas of the area council.
Further checks revealed the terrorists, about 30 in all, descended on the communities and were shooting from different angles, thus causing a moment of panic among residents.
Further details of how the gunmen carried out their operations were scanty as at the time of this report.
Also, the FCT Police Command was yet to react to the development as at the time of going to the press.
…Atiku cautions
In all of this, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has asked the federal government not to allow the gains recorded in the area of security slip off.
In a statement posted Sunday on his Facebook, the former nation’s number two man said: “The reported attack by suicide bombers at a wedding reception, funeral procession, and a hospital on Saturday stands condemned.
“It is unfortunate that much of the pushback that had been achieved against the Boko Haram terror sect are being cancelled, owing mainly to the government’s lacklustre posture to hold firmly on the frontline.
“It is thus important to call on the federal authorities to wake up to their responsibility and to make sure that the North-East does not slide back into a theatre of terrorism and extreme violence.”
He also condoled with the families of victims of the attacks, saying “it is my prayer that God grants a peaceful repose to the souls of the departed.”
