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At least 18 people lost their lives and 30 others sustained injuries in a series of deadly blasts across northeastern Nigeria Saturday, June 39, 2024. The attacks, believed to be carried out by female suicide bombers, have shocked the nation.
The most devastating of these bombings occurred at a wedding ceremony in Borno state, where six individuals were killed and numerous others were injured on Saturday. The coordinated assaults targeted not only the wedding but also the subsequent funeral and a hospital in Gwoza town, according to the state’s emergency management agency.
President Bola Tinubu strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as “desperate acts of terror.” In a statement shared via his media aide on Facebook, he vowed to take stern action against those responsible. “The purveyors of wanton violence shall have a certain encounter with justice,” the president declared, emphasizing that these attacks are isolated incidents and will not derail the country’s progress against jihadists.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the bombings, suspicions fall on the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents, who have previously carried out deadly bombings in Borno state. The region has endured a 15-year insurgency led by Boko Haram militants, resulting in the displacement of over two million people and the deaths of more than 40,000.
Local media outlets reported higher death tolls, suggesting that at least 30 people may have been killed. The confirmed casualties include children, adults, and pregnant women. In response to the attacks, the military has imposed a curfew in the affected areas.
Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the attacks on social media, calling for an end to the violence against civilians in Borno. “These deplorable attacks that took place at a time people were mourning demonstrate complete disregard for human life,” the organization stated.
Gwoza, a town previously seized by Boko Haram in 2014 and reclaimed by Nigerian forces in 2015, has continued to face sporadic attacks and kidnappings. Last November, 20 people were killed by Boko Haram insurgents while returning from a funeral service in neighboring Yobe state, highlighting the persistent threat in the region.
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