Suspected female suicide bombers target a wedding, funeral, and hospital in Gwoza, Borno state, resulting in significant casualties and highlighting ongoing insurgent threats.
At least 18 people were killed and 30 others injured in a series of attacks by suspected female suicide bombers in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state on Saturday. The attacks occurred in the town of Gwoza, targeting a wedding, a funeral, and a hospital, according to Barkindo Saidu, director general of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency.
The confirmed death toll includes children, adults, and pregnant women. The injuries sustained by the victims are severe, ranging from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures. This tragic incident adds to the long list of casualties in a region that has suffered from persistent violence and instability.
Borno state has been the epicenter of a brutal 15-year Islamist insurgency led by Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Despite efforts by the Nigerian military to diminish the capabilities of these militant groups, they continue to launch deadly attacks against both civilians and security forces.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Borno state police have not provided immediate comments on the incident.
The Islamist insurgency in Borno has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. While the Nigerian military has made significant strides in combating these militant groups, incidents like the recent attacks in Gwoza underscore the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP.
