President Bola Tinubu has condemned the suicide bombing in Konduga, Borno State, and the explosion in Kano that claimed multiple lives over the weekend, describing both incidents as tragic and avoidable.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed deep sorrow over the attacks and extended condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the governments and people of Borno and Kano States.

In Konduga, Borno State, a female suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at a crowded fish market on Friday night, killing 12 people and injuring 18 others. According to the Borno State Police Command, the attacker infiltrated a group of civilians before triggering the device around 9:30 p.m.

“A joint response team comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Military, EOD-CBRN Unit, and other security agencies was swiftly deployed to the scene to prevent further attacks and manage the emergency,” said ASP Nahum Daso, spokesperson for the command.

President Tinubu described the attack as cowardly and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to root out Boko Haram remnants, who he said continue to target soft locations.

“The President mourned those who lost their lives, describing the attack as cowardly. He urged security agencies to double their efforts in routing remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents who resort to attacks on soft targets as a diversionary tactic,” the statement read.

The President also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate assistance to the survivors.

In a separate incident on Saturday morning, five people were confirmed dead and 15 others injured in an explosion at a scrap metal site in the Brigade area of Kano State. The State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said the blast may have involved a military-grade mortar bomb being improperly handled or transported by a trailer allegedly coming from Yobe State.

“Preliminary findings suggest the explosive material was being transported by a trailer, but it remains unclear whether the vehicle was carrying military personnel or contractors,” he said, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Tinubu sympathised with the victims and their families and called for a thorough probe of the Kano explosion. He emphasized the importance of enforcing safety protocols and ensuring accountability in the handling and movement of military-grade materials.

“President Tinubu sympathised with the families of those killed or injured by an explosion on Saturday morning in Kano and tasked relevant government institutions with investigating the incident,” Onanuga added.