In the northeastern Borno state in Nigeria, at least 18 people have been killed with 30 more injured due to a series of blasts believed to have been carried out by female suicide bombers. The devastating attacks struck a wedding ceremony, a funeral, and a hospital in the town of Gwoza, near the Cameroon border, sparking widespread mourning across the nation.
Bola Tinubu, the president, strongly denounced the attacks, calling them “desperate acts of terror.” President Tinubu reassured the people of his administration’s commitment to justice and the continuous battle against terrorist groups in the region by vowing to take immediate action against the culprits in reaction to the tragedy. In light of recent developments in the fight against extremism, a statement from his office reaffirmed the desire to keep the nation from slipping into chaos and terror. It also affirmed that these acts are seen as isolated occurrences.
The identity of the attackers has not been officially confirmed, but suspicion has fallen on the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a group known for its previous deadly activities in the area. The death toll reported by authorities includes a diverse group of victims comprising children, adults, and pregnant women, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
Local media sources, including Nigeria’s Vanguard and This Day newspapers, have suggested that the casualty figures might be even higher, estimating at least 30 fatalities. The injuries reported range in severity from abdominal ruptures to fractures of skulls and limbs, underscoring the brutal impact of the blasts.
The military imposed a curfew following the tragedy in an effort to bring peace and stop such attacks. As the community deals with the fallout from the violence, medical personnel are currently tending to the injured in Maiduguri, the state capital of Borno.
Human rights groups have also expressed their displeasure and demanded that the targeting of people cease. Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the perpetrators for their unacceptable disrespect for human life, calling the attacks more heartbreaking because they took place during a funeral. The US Mission in Nigeria had a similar opinion, characterizing the bombs as horrifying incidents that vividly highlight the persistent danger of terrorism in the area.
For over 15 years, the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has been waging a bloody war in Borno state that has resulted in over two million people being displaced and over 40,000 deaths. After abducting over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok in April 2014, Boko Haram became well-known worldwide for using female suicide bombers. This strategy has sparked rumors that the missing Chibok girls may have been involved in these attacks.\
Concerns regarding the changing tactics used by jihadist groups in the area have been rekindled by the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, which show their continued ability to cause harm. This most recent tragedy comes after a number of attacks that have contributed to the region’s instability, including an attack that occurred recently in nearby Yobe state where insurgents killed 20 people returning from a funeral.
