June 22, 2025 by and Fanen Ihyongo, Kano

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday pledged federal government’s swift response to Friday night’s suicide bombing in Borno State, which left no fewer than 24 people dead.

Shettima slammed the suicide bombing by a female at a local food joint in Konduga Local Government Area of the state as a “heinous act of terrorism against innocent civilians.”

Several other people were injured in the attack which locals strongly believe was the handiwork of Boko Haram or ISWAS insurgents.

The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Borno State while reaffirming federal government’s determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The federal government will not relent in our efforts to ensure that those responsible for this despicable act face the full weight of the law,” Shettima said in a statement through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.

He directed relevant government agencies to expedite investigation into the incident and ensure prompt support to those affected.

“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones in this senseless act of violence. The government stands with them in this difficult time and will provide all necessary support,” the Vice President said.

The attack, which occurred in an area that has suffered years of insurgent violence, comes amid renewed efforts by government to stabilise the region and support victims of terrorism.

Shettima, the immediate past governor of the state, underscored the government’s resolve to sustain the gains recorded in recent years in the fight against terrorism.

“The administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains committed to restoring lasting peace and security to the Northeast and all parts of Nigeria.

“We will not allow our enemies to undermine the progress we have made in degrading their capabilities,” he added.

Spokesman for the Police Command in the state, Assistant Superintendent Nahun Daso, 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.

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

“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 local hunters was deployed to the scene,” he added.

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

“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,” he said.

Daso said 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.

Only last week, armed herdsmen attacked Yelewata in Benue State, killing almost 200 people and sparking outrage across the country and beyond.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday reported that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has delivered critical combat enablers and deployed additional 300 troops to boost manpower under the Operation “Whirl Stroke” in the North Central geo-political zone.

Citing a credible source, NAN said that the deployment was in a significant effort to reinforce security and operational capacity in the region.

The deployment includes mobility and protective assets to enhance troop mobility, rapid response and overall effectiveness in addressing emerging threats.

It said the COAS, during his recent visit to Benue, presented a consignment of equipment at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Makurdi.

The items delivered, according to him, include over 100 motorcycles, Troop-Carrying Vehicles (TCVs) and personal protective equipment.

“These assets are designed to improve tactical agility, force protection, and combat readiness, particularly in difficult and rugged terrains where asymmetric threats are prevalent,” the source said.

The COAS, while in Makurdi, reassured the people of the state and the wider North Central region of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and stability.

He emphasised that under his leadership, efforts to safeguard lives and property would be intensified.

And in a message to the second quarter media chat titled ‘Military-Media Collaboration: Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development’ in Akure, Ondo State capital yesterday, the COAS said the military would bring the perpetrators of the Benue attack to justice.

Oluyede, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Obinna Onubogu, said the military remained committed to protecting the country’s territorial integrity.

“In the coming weeks, you will see very elaborate security arrangements in Benue to ensure that the killings stop completely,” Oluyede said.

“There are ongoing efforts behind the scenes to make sure this does not happen again. As far as the killings are concerned, we will go after them—and by God’s grace, we will get them.”

The army chief said President Tinubu has given clear directives to tackle insecurity, adding that troops have been deployed to Benue, Plateau, Kwara and other states facing security challenges.

Oluyede noted that while Nigeria is a large country, the army is working to cover as much ground as possible with the resources available.

He added that some of the attackers in Benue may not be Nigerians.

“We are in Benue, we are in Plateau, tackling the menace,” he added.

“But we also need support from the people. In some cases, lack of timely information delays our response. Intelligence from locals is crucial to improving our reaction time.

“The army is not as large as many people think, but we are doing our best to cover space and ground. There are a few places where we are not present, and unfortunately, that is where attackers exploit the gaps.”

Police investigate factory explosion that killed five in Kano

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has ordered a thorough investigation into the factory explosion that killed five people and injured 10 others at Yongxing Steel Company in the state yesterday.

CP Bakori led early responders, including the command’s team of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear wears, to secure the scene of blast with a view to averting further damages, police said.

The spokesman of Kano State Police Command, Hussaini Abdullahi, said the police swung into action following a distress call from the marketing manager of Yongxing Steel Company, one Ibrahim Udazu, about the explosion at the factory’s premises.

He said upon arriving there, the scene of explosion was immediately cordoned to restrict access as cautionary measure, and the police EOD personnel professionally recovered seven suspected devices without hurt.

The affected company, which deals in scraps, is located on Ring Road, Mariri Quarters in the Kano metropolis.

Witnesses told The Nation that the blast also caused deafening panic to residents in the entire area.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the explosion occurred from a truck loaded with scraps from Damaturu, Yobe State, while offloading at the company’s premises.

“As a result, 15 people sustained varying degrees of injury and were immediately rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.

“Regrettably, five of the victims died while receiving treatment. Meanwhile, others are responding to treatment.

“The State Commissioner of Police has directed a detailed investigation, and urged the public to remain calm and vigilant, while cooperating with the police to get to the root cause of the unfortunate incident.

“The Command requests residents to kindly report any useful information or suspicious activities to the police,” Abdullahi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said in his press statement.