About 24 persons were killed and several others injured by a female suicide bomber on Friday night at Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command,ASP Nahun Daso, who confirmed the incient on Saturday, said the improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated at a food joint, where the attacker targeted residents who had gathered in a large number to buy food.

Mr Daso said the body of the suicide bomber was severely dismembered by the blast, with only the head recovered from the scene.

He stated, “Following the incident, a joint response team comprising the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, Military, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and hunters was deployed to the scene.’’

The spokesperson said that the area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched for other possible explosive devices, but none was found.

He noted, “The injured victims were evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where they are currently receiving treatment, while the remains of the deceased were also deposited at the hospital mortuary. The victims were confirmed dead by medical personnel on duty.”

Mr Daso added that efforts were ongoing to profile the victims and contact their relatives for proper identification and burial in line with their religious practices.

He said that security had been reinforced in Konduga and surrounding communities to prevent further attacks and restore public confidence.

(NAN)