Horror in Borno: Nighttime Suicide Attack by Female Bomber Leaves 24 Dead in Konduga

Konduga, a town located about 36 kilometers from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, was thrown into mourning on Friday night following a brutal suicide bombing that left 24 people dead and several others injured. The attack, which occurred around 10:00 p.m. on June 20, 2025, was carried out by a female suicide bomber who detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at a crowded local food joint.

According to the Borno State Police Command, the blast tore through the popular evening gathering spot, where residents—both men and women—had converged to buy and eat food. The explosion claimed 24 lives on the spot, with the suicide bomber’s body also dismembered by the force of the blast. Only her head was reportedly recovered intact.

Witnesses described a horrific scene, with blood-soaked benches, shattered utensils, and mangled bodies strewn across the open-air eatery. The attack is one of the deadliest single incidents in the region in recent months and has renewed fears about the lingering threat of terrorism in Borno State.

Borno Police Command Confirm Casualties, Launch Investigation

Borno State Police sources confirmed to Opitangloba Media that several other victims of the attack sustained varying degrees of injuries. While the exact number of those injured remains unconfirmed, authorities say all the wounded were quickly evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for emergency medical care.

The police said the identity of the suicide bomber is yet to be determined, though her mode of attack is consistent with past tactics used by insurgent groups operating in northeastern Nigeria. The head of the deceased attacker has been taken for forensic analysis to aid in identifying her and tracing possible links to extremist networks.

Efforts are underway to profile the deceased victims and identify them. Police said families would be contacted for the release of corpses, in accordance with local and religious burial customs. The Borno state authorities also reassured the public of their commitment to ensuring justice and preventing recurrence.

Security Forces Conduct Sweep of Blast Scene

Following the tragic incident, a joint security task force swiftly moved in to secure the area. The team comprised officers from the Nigerian Army, Police Tactical Teams, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) units, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local vigilante hunters.

The affected food joint and surrounding vicinity were thoroughly searched for secondary explosive devices. Authorities confirmed that no additional threats were discovered, and the area was declared safe. The entire neighborhood was cordoned off during the operation, with security forces working through the night to restore calm.

In the aftermath, security presence across Konduga has been significantly heightened. Patrols and checkpoints have been reinforced as part of broader efforts to deter further attacks and reassure a jittery populace of Borno state

Medical Teams Battle to Save the Injured

Medical staff at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital of Borno state were thrust into emergency mode as ambulances transported victims from the blast site. Many of the injured sustained critical injuries, including burns, limb fractures, and internal trauma.

Hospital authorities confirmed that all the dead victims were certified by medical examiners before being deposited in the morgue. Additional medical personnel were called in overnight to assist with the influx of casualties, while a special trauma team was activated to provide psychological support to survivors.

The Borno State Government is reportedly working to provide support to affected families, though no official statement had been released at press time. Local leaders and humanitarian agencies have begun mobilizing resources to assist those displaced or affected by the bombing.

Residents Demand Stronger Security, Vigilance Urged

The attack has reignited public anxiety in Borno State, especially in towns and communities outside Maiduguri that have witnessed a relative return to peace in recent years. Residents of Konduga, in particular, expressed anger and fear over the attack, calling on the government to enhance intelligence gathering and surveillance.

“We thought this kind of horror was behind us,” said Ibrahim Musa, a local trader who escaped the blast by mere minutes. “We need more security, not just after the attack, but before these things happen.”

Security agencies have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, fingers are already pointing at remnants of Boko Haram or ISWAP insurgents, known for deploying female suicide bombers in the past.

As Konduga buries its dead, the community and the Borno state mourn yet another grim chapter in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria’s northeast