On Saturday, a series of horrific suicide bombings in northeastern Nigeria's Borno State left 18 people dead and over 40 injured. Female suicide bombers targeted Gwoza town, causing multiple explosions. The first attack occurred at a hospital, followed by another at a wedding. A third explosion happened during the funeral for the victims of the wedding attack. These tragic events unfolded within a span of hours.
According to Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), among the 18 casualties were children, pregnant women, and other women. The injured were rushed to various hospitals, with nine critically injured individuals transported to the capital, Maiduguri. The number of fatalities is expected to rise.
Another attack occurred near a security checkpoint in Gwoza, resulting in the deaths of a militia member, his two colleagues, and a soldier. These deaths have not been officially confirmed by authorities. In 2014, Boko Haram militants seized control of Gwoza but were ousted by Nigerian security forces in 2015. However, Boko Haram has continued to target the area with frequent attacks.
What is Boko Haram?
Boko Haram is a jihadist terrorist organization formed in Nigeria in 2002 under the leadership of the late Muslim cleric Mohammed Yusuf. The group began an insurgency against the Nigerian government, security forces, and civilians in 2009. In 2014, Boko Haram captured Gwoza, an area the size of Belgium, in northeastern Nigeria. Although Nigerian security forces reclaimed Gwoza in 2015, Boko Haram has persisted in launching attacks.
Since its inception, Boko Haram has caused the deaths of 40,000 people and displaced 2 million. The conflict has spilled over into neighboring Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, prompting the formation of a regional military coalition to combat the insurgents. Boko Haram funds its operations through criminal activities such as looting, kidnapping, bank robbery, cattle theft, and contract killings. They also steal vehicles, weapons, and ammunition from the Nigerian military and acquire advanced weaponry from the local black market. Despite losing Gwoza, Boko Haram continues to attack rural communities and use young girls for suicide bombings.
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