A heavy cloud of sorrow descended on the town of Konduga as grieving families and community members gathered to bid farewell to the victims of Tuesday’s deadly suicide attack carried out by a female Boko Haram operative.
The tragic incident, which left at least 18 people dead and dozens injured, has plunged the already embattled community into deeper mourning. The attack occurred at a crowded marketplace, where the female suicide bomber disguised herself among civilians before detonating her explosive vest in the heart of the gathering.
Today, rows of freshly dug graves stand ready at the town’s central cemetery. The air was thick with emotion as wails of sorrow echoed across Konduga. Family members clung to each other, some collapsing from grief, as clerics led solemn funeral prayers for the deceased.
“It was like a war zone,” said Ibrahim Aliyu, a local vigilante who arrived minutes after the blast. “I saw children, women—innocent people—scattered in pieces. We are tired of burying our loved ones.”
Among the victims were traders, children, and an elderly woman known affectionately as “Mama Talatu,” who had run a food stall in the market for over 20 years.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, in a statement released through his spokesperson, condemned the attack as “barbaric and inhuman,” and reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue supporting the military and local vigilantes in the fight against terrorism.
Security has since been tightened in and around Konduga, with military checkpoints reinforced and patrols increased. However, the community remains on edge, haunted by the fear of more attacks.
As the coffins were lowered one by one into the earth, the pain was unmistakable. “We are burying our hearts today,” said Fatima Bukar, a survivor who lost her sister and two nephews. “But we will not bury our hope.”
The attack marks yet another dark chapter in Boko Haram’s long-running insurgency, highlighting the persistent security threats facing communities across Borno State. While the Nigerian military continues its offensive operations, the use of female suicide bombers—a chilling tactic revived in recent months—signals a dangerous shift in the terrorists’ methods.
As dusk fell on Konduga, prayers rose to the heavens, calling for justice, peace, and an end to the nightmare. For now, the town mourns—and waits.
@Zagazola Makama
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