Borno Market Suicide Bombing Kills 12, Tinubu Vows Justice

A female suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at a crowded fish market in Konduga, Borno State, Nigeria, on June 20, 2025, killing 12 people and injuring 18 others. The attack, which occurred around 9:30 p.m., targeted a food joint within the market, a bustling hub for local traders and residents.

The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident, noting that the bomber infiltrated a civilian crowd before triggering the explosion.

“A suicide bomb attack occurred on Friday, 20th June, 2025, at about 2130hrs, at fish market area in Konduga town, Borno State where a female suicide bomber, who had an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strapped to her body, infiltrated a crowd of unsuspecting civilians and detonated the device, resulting in the unfortunate loss of lives and multiple injuries,” said ASP Nahum Daso, the state Police Public Relations Officer.

The blast left a grim scene, with the bomber’s body severely dismembered and only her head recovered for identification.

“We were bargaining a fish when we heard a loud sound that later turns out to be a suicide bomb attack. It was a gory sight,” a local source recounted.

Emergency responders, including the Nigeria Police Force, military, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD-CBRN) units, were swiftly deployed to secure the area and prevent further attacks.

The injured were rushed to Maiduguri Specialist Hospital for treatment, while ongoing investigations aim to uncover the full details of the attack. No group has claimed responsibility, but security sources point to Boko Haram, whose 16-year insurgency has killed thousands and displaced over 2 million in Borno.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the attack as a “cowardly” act by “remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents who resort to attacks on soft targets as a diversionary tactic.”

In a statement issued on June 22 by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed deep anguish and mourned the victims.

“President Tinubu has expressed anguish over the suicide bombing in Konduga, Borno State, at the weekend. The President mourned those who lost their lives, describing the attack as cowardly,” the statement read.

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to eliminate the insurgents, stating, “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.”

Tinubu also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate support to survivors and extended condolences to the Borno State government and its people.

The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed condolences and assured the public of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy.

“The CP urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and security conscious, and to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest security agency,” Daso added.

The attack follows a pattern of Boko Haram’s recent tactics, with similar bombings in Gwoza and Kauri in 2024 claiming dozens of lives.

In a separate incident, Tinubu addressed an explosion at a scrap metal factory in Kano State on June 21, which killed five people and injured ten others.

“Meanwhile, the President has sympathised with the families of those killed or injured by an explosion on Saturday morning in Kano,” Onanuga’s statement noted, emphasizing the need for stricter safety protocols.

Tinubu tasked relevant authorities with investigating the incident to prevent future tragedies.

The Konduga bombing underscores the persistent threat of insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast, despite military efforts to curb Boko Haram’s activities.

Residents, shaken by the attack, called for enhanced security measures to protect vulnerable communities. As investigations continue, the nation mourns, and Tinubu’s pledge for justice resonates, “We will not rest until peace is restored.”