In a shocking display of violence, northern Nigeria was rocked by a series of coordinated suicide bombings that claimed at least 18 lives. The attacks, carried out by female bombers, targeted a wedding celebration, a funeral service, and a hospital in Borno state, a region long plagued by insurgent activity.
The assaults bore the hallmarks of extremist groups like Boko Haram, known for their use of women and girls in suicide missions. This tactic has raised suspicions that some attackers may be drawn from the thousands kidnapped by militants over the years.
The bombings left a trail of devastation, with victims including children and pregnant women. Dozens more suffered severe injuries, overwhelming local medical facilities. In response, authorities swiftly imposed a curfew in the affected area.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks as “desperate acts of terror,” but characterized them as isolated incidents. However, the resurgence of suicide bombings in Borno has reignited concerns about the region’s security situation.
This latest tragedy adds to the grim toll of an insurgency that has claimed over 35,000 lives and displaced millions. It also underscores the ongoing threat of mass kidnappings, a tactic that armed groups have found lucrative for funding their operations and exerting control over communities.