At Least 18 People Killed in Multiple Suicide Bombings in Nigeria
Three female attackers detonated devices at a wedding and at a funeral in a city once ruled by Boko Haram, emergency service officials said. So far, no group has claimed responsibility.
Northeastern Nigeria Faces Tragedy with Suicide Bombings by Female Attackers
In a devastating series of events on Saturday afternoon, northeastern Nigeria witnessed multiple suicide bombings carried out by women, resulting in at least 18 deaths and numerous injuries. Among the attacks were bombings at a wedding and a funeral in Gwoza, a city at the heart of a 15-year insurgency led by Boko Haram.
Barkindo Saidu, Director General of Borno State’s emergency management agency, reported that three female suicide bombers targeted different locations in Gwoza. The victims included children and pregnant women. Some local news outlets reported that the death toll might exceed 30.
As of Sunday, no group had claimed responsibility for the attacks, which bore the hallmark of Boko Haram, responsible for tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of over two million people in the region.
The first explosion occurred at a wedding celebration, killing seven people, including the attacker and a baby. Subsequent bombings took place near a hospital and during a funeral service for a victim of the initial blast. Authorities confirmed at least 18 fatalities, but the exact number of explosions and casualties remains unclear.
Victims of the wedding bombing included a high school teacher, an entrepreneur, and a bicycle seller. The bride and groom survived the attack but their condition is not yet confirmed.
Conflicting reports emerged from police and emergency services, with police citing two explosions while emergency services and local witnesses reported three. President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks, calling them “desperate acts of terror” and “an isolated episode.”
Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges, including mass kidnappings and Boko Haram’s insurgency, which has forced thousands of teenage girls into suicide missions and marriages. The infamous 2014 Chibok schoolgirl abduction by Boko Haram still leaves dozens unaccounted for.
At least 30 bombing victims were transported to a hospital in Maiduguri, 130 miles north of Gwoza. Among them was Mohammed Ali, a wedding attendee injured during the attack, who was awaiting surgery for his shoulder injury.