MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — At least 24 people were killed and dozens injured on Friday, June 20, 2025, when a female suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at a crowded food joint in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, authorities confirmed on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
The tragic incident, which took place in the insurgency-prone region of northeastern Nigeria, is the deadliest in recent months and underscores the persistent threat of terrorism despite security gains in the area.
According to the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahun Daso, the attacker targeted a busy local food outlet where residents had gathered in large numbers.
“The body of the suicide bomber was severely dismembered by the blast, with only the head recovered from the scene,” Daso said.
He added that a joint emergency response team comprising officers from the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, the Nigerian military, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters was swiftly deployed to the scene.
“The area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched for other possible explosive devices, but none was found,” he added.
Victims of the blast were evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where injured individuals are currently receiving treatment.
The remains of the deceased were also deposited at the hospital mortuary.
“The victims were confirmed dead by medical personnel on duty,” Daso stated.
Efforts are ongoing to profile the victims and contact their families for identification and burial, in accordance with their religious customs.
In response to the attack, security forces have reinforced their presence in Konduga and neighbouring communities to prevent further violence and restore public confidence.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, the region has long been the target of attacks by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have used female suicide bombers in the past.
