A series of coordinated attacks carried out by female suicide bombers in the town of Gwoza has left over 30 people dead and 42 injured, according to Vice President Kashim Shetim.
The attacks, which targeted a wedding, a funeral, and a hospital, have been condemned by President Bola Tinubu as “desperate acts of terror”. The president has vowed to take stern action against those responsible and has insisted that the incident has not undermined recent gains made against jihadists.
The attacks have been attributed to the Nigeria-centered Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents, who have previously claimed responsibility for deadly bombings in Borno. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with Amnesty International Nigeria calling for an end to assaults on civilians in Borno.
The US Mission in Nigeria has also described the attack as “horrific”, stating that “these reprehensible acts of violence show a cruel and heartless disregard for human life”.
The attacks are the latest in a series of violent incidents in Borno state, which has been at the center of a 15-year insurgency by Boko Haram Islamist militants. The insurgency has displaced over two million people and killed over 40,000.
The use of female suicide bombers has raised suspicions that some of the missing Chibok schoolgirls may be involved. A study has found that Boko Haram has utilized more women as suicide bombers than any other group in history.
The attacks have reignited fears that jihadist groups may be trying to reinvent themselves and show that they still have the capacity to do damage.
