President Bola Tinubu has “strongly condemned” the bomb attacks that resulted in the killing of at least 18 persons and the maiming of other citizens in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Three female suicide bombers attacked a wedding ceremony, a hospital, and a funeral in Gwoza, Borno State on Saturday.
In a statement by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale on Sunday, Tinubu described the attacks as “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.
“The President declares that the purveyors of wanton violence shall have a certain encounter with justice, and that these cowardly attacks are only but an isolated episode as his government will not allow the nation to slither into an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood.
“The President states that his administration is taking necessary measures to secure citizens, emphasizing that efforts will be redoubled to ensure that those who trouble the nation, dispatching precious lives, and disrupting law and order are completely removed.
“President Tinubu condoles with the victims of the attacks, the families of the deceased, as well as the government and people of Borno State.”
Atiku worries over
Reacting to the attacks, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, said “It is a sad development that the ugly incidents of terrorism are resurfacing and, indeed, metastasising in the North-East.
“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.
“My condolences go to the families of victims of these attacks, and it is my prayer that God grants a peaceful repose to the souls of the departed.”
US, UN speak
The United States Mission in Nigeria condemned the suicide bomb attacks that targeted civilian populations in Gwoza, a Local Government Area of Borno State.
Reacting in a post on its official X.com account on Sunday, @USinNigeria, the mission said the violence showed cruel disregard for human lives, noting it would be working with Nigeria to bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice.
The mission wrote: “The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific attacks that took place in Gwoza, Borno State on June 29. These reprehensible acts of violence show a cruel and heartless disregard for human life. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed and wish a full recovery to the injured.
“These abhorrent attacks are a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorism in the region. The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria is committed to our partnership with Nigeria as it works to defeat terrorism and bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice.”
Also, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, in a statement on Sunday, expressed his horror and condemnation of the attacks in the strongest terms.
“I am horrified by this attack on civilian populations and condemn such acts in the strongest terms. I stand in solidarity with the Government of Nigeria and the families and communities of all those affected,” Fall stated.
Fall also reminded all parties involved in the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm.
He emphasised the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the victims of the attacks and conveyed his condolences to the Borno State Government.
“I have reached out to the Borno State Government to express my condolences and offer any support that the United Nations and the humanitarian community can provide to aid the victims of the attack,” he added.
