Konduga, Borno State: June 21, 2025
A quiet Friday evening turned tragic in Konduga, northeast Nigeria, as a devastating suicide bombing claimed at least ten lives and injured several others in a packed local restaurant. The attack, carried out by a female suicide bomber, bears the chilling signature of insurgent groups like Boko Haram or its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)—though no group has claimed responsibility yet.
A Sudden Explosion in the Rain
The bomber struck during a heavy downpour, which authorities believe made it easier for her to slip into the restaurant unnoticed. Eyewitnesses recount a bustling atmosphere just moments before the explosion tore through the building. Screams filled the air as locals rushed to rescue the injured amid falling rain and shattered debris.
“We were just eating when it happened. People were thrown out by the force. I saw bodies… it was terrible,” said Musa Aliyu, a survivor who was treated for minor injuries.
Emergency responders and security personnel quickly arrived at the scene, and the wounded were transported to the nearby General Hospital in Maiduguri for urgent care.
A Familiar Tactic
This method of using female bombers to infiltrate public places is sadly not new in northeastern Nigeria. Over the past decade, insurgents have repeatedly used vulnerable women and young girls as tools of terror. Konduga, in particular, has suffered several such attacks in the past—most notably in 2018 and 2019, when coordinated bombings killed dozens.
In February 2018, three female bombers attacked a fish market in Konduga, killing at least 17 people. Just a year later, in June 2019, another set of suicide attacks targeting football fans left more than 30 dead. These consistent patterns make this latest incident even more alarming.
The Human Cost
While numbers give us a scale, the real loss lies in the broken families, the orphaned children, and the enduring trauma of survivors. For a town already familiar with the horrors of terrorism, this bombing reopens deep wounds and fuels widespread fear.
Healthcare workers at the local hospital reported that many victims are in critical condition. The state government has yet to release official identities of the deceased, but community leaders are already calling for renewed support for the victims’ families.
Ongoing Investigations
The Borno State Police Command has launched an investigation into the bombing, with intelligence teams exploring possible links to Boko Haram or ISWAP. Despite numerous military offensives declared against these groups, their ability to carry out such high-impact civilian attacks remains a serious concern.
Security experts believe that soft targets like restaurants, markets, and places of worship remain dangerously vulnerable, especially during off-hours or bad weather, when vigilance is low.
What Next for Nigeria?
This incident comes amid renewed national discussions about security in the North East. President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has promised to end insurgency once and for all, is under pressure to reassess strategy and strengthen community-based intelligence.
For now, the people of Konduga mourn yet another painful loss, hoping that one day, they will eat, work, and live in peace again.
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