The death toll from the recent multiple suicide bombings in Gwoza town, located in Borno state in northeastern Nigeria, has climbed to 32, officials confirmed.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, announced the updated death toll on Monday evening during a visit to injured survivors at the Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno.

Of the 42 individuals initially evacuated from the attack site, several have succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment, bringing the total death toll to 32, Shettima told reporters.

“I’ve been informed that 32 have lost their lives so far; 14 have been discharged from the hospital while 26 are still receiving treatment,” he said.

Over the weekend, Boko Haram reportedly deployed several female suicide bombers, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries in coordinated attacks targeting communities in Borno. Subsequent attacks occurred at a hospital and during the burials of some of the victims.

This marks the first major Boko Haram attack in nearly five years. 

The Vice President, who was accompanied by Borno’s Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, who is acting governor following Governor Zullum’s one-month vacation,  and Senator Ali Ndume, who represents southern Borno and is a native of Gwoza, the targeted town, expressed their condolences to the survivors.

Emphasising the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens, Vice President Shettima vowed to bring those responsible for this horrific act to justice. He also offered assurances of government support for all victims and their families affected by this tragedy.