At least 18 people were killed and 30 others injured following a series of attacks by suspected female suicide bombers in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state on Saturday, according to Barkindo Saidu, the head of the local state emergency management agency.
Borno, the epicenter of a 15-year Islamist insurgency, has witnessed thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. Despite efforts by the Nigerian military to weaken the militants, deadly attacks against civilians and security targets continue.
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Saidu, director general of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, reported that the suspected suicide bombers targeted a wedding, a funeral, and a hospital in the town of Gwoza.
The attacks resulted in the deaths of children, adults, and pregnant women. “The degree of injuries ranges from abdominal ruptures, skull fractures, and limb fractures,” he stated.
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No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), are the most active militant groups in Borno, a region roughly the size of Ireland.
Borno state police were not immediately available for comment. The community remains on high alert as authorities continue to respond to the tragic incidents.