In Summary
- Suicide bombers killed at least 18 people in Gwoza, northeastern Nigeria.
- The attacks occurred at a marriage celebration, near a hospital, and at a funeral service.
- Victims included children, pregnant women, and both adult males and females.
- No group has claimed responsibility, but Boko Haram is suspected.
- Gwoza is in Borno state, heavily impacted by Boko Haram’s insurgency since 2009.
- The resurgence of suicide bombings raises security concerns in the region.
ABUJA, NIGERIA– Suicide bombers in Gwoza, northeastern Nigeria, killed at least 18 people on Saturday, June 29. The attacks have raised significant security concerns in the region, already heavily impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The first suicide bomber detonated an explosive device during a marriage celebration at around 3 p.m., according to Barkindo Saidu, director-general of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency. Minutes later, another blast occurred near General Hospital. The third attack targeted a funeral service, carried out by a female bomber disguised as a mourner.
Children and pregnant women were among the victims of these attacks. The death toll included adult males, females, and children, as reported by a local radio station.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, Gwoza is located in Borno state, which has been a focal point of the Boko Haram insurgency since its launch in 2009. Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group, has used women and girls in suicide bombings in the past, raising suspicions that some of the attackers could have been among the many thousands kidnapped by the group over the years.
The resurgence of suicide bombings in Borno state underscores the persistent security challenges in the region. Boko Haram’s activities have not only threatened the security of Nigeria but have also destabilized the broader Lake Chad region. The recent attacks highlight the ongoing threat posed by the group and the need for continued vigilance and effective counter-terrorism measures.
