The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that 20 persons were killed while 52 got injured during the recent multiple bomb blasts that rocked the Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

Meanwhile, the army’s figure is in contrast with those of Vice President Kassim Shettima who on Monday said that the death toll had risen to 32 with 42 injured.

“On the whole, 20 persons were killed while 52 sustained various degree of injuries and receiving treatment,” Defence spokesman, Major General Edward Buba confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: Gwoza suicide attacks: Tinubu mourns, vows justice as death toll rises to 23

“The armed forces views every life lost as a result of the ongoing war, whether civilian or military, as an immense tragedy. The sad loss of lifes are a tragedy for the society, community and the nation.

“Accordingly, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen CG MUSA, officers and members of the armed forces, we express our condolences even as we mourn with all who have lost loved ones. We also commiserate with all victims needing healing and recovery.

“Accordingly, we call on citizens to stand united, remain vigilant, and continue to support efforts of the armed forces to ensure a secure and peaceful future.”

In a related development, the Borno State Government on Monday lamented the multiple bombings which took place in Gwoza, saying it is an ‘error we didn’t see coming’.

The attacks, carried out by four suicide bombers on Saturday, resulted in the loss of lives and injured many others.

Reacting, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, expressed shock over the multiple bombings.

“It is not an intelligence failure. It is an error that we did not see coming,” Tar said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s breakfast show Sunrise Daily.

The commissioner further explained that the attackers may have exploited the state’s porous borders to carry out their operations.

“If terrorists want to attack and they use a particular route that you don’t know, what can you do? As you know our boundaries are porous that is internationally. Even our local boundaries are porous,” he said.

“If terrorists want to attack, they do it using the frontlines. That was what probably happened.”