By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Several guests have been feared dead, while others sustained varying injuries after a lone female suicide bomber detonated an IED at a wedding venue in Gwoza town, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.
The female bomber was carrying a baby on her back when she stormed the venue and detonated the IED, a media report quoted a survivor as saying.
The wedding took place at Tashan Mararaba near the Fire Service in Gwoza town.
The number of dead persons is yet to be ascertained, but several of the injured persons are receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Gwoza, including this source.
Security agencies are also yet to comment on the incident as of now.
Heritage Times HT reports that the region has been under hostage by Boko Haram Islamist group in the last 15 years.
Though incidents of suicide had not been very common in recent times, mass abduction of residents has remained dominant in the operations of the ISWAP-affiliated terror organization.
Borno State Commissioner of Police (CP), Yusuf Lawal, confirmed the attack saying that the attack was carried out by a female suicide bomber.
Lawal said that he was informed by the Divisional Police Officer in Gwoza, that at least six people were killed with 15 others evacuated to the hospital.
An eyewitness who identified himself as Buba told News Agency of Nigeria that the suicide bomber targeted the wedding ceremony.
Buba said that the attack shattered the joy and celebration of the special day, leaving families and loved ones in mourning.
Muhammed Kasim, another witness said that the attack happened around 1:30 p.m.
“We heard a very loud sound of explosives, accompanied with dust; then we saw bodies on the ground.
He said that several victims were evacuated to the hospital while security agencies were deployed to sanitise the area.
