A devastating suicide bombing at a wedding in Gwoza, Borno state, has underscored the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram.
Adamu Buba, a wedding guest, was injured when a woman in a torn hijab detonated explosives, killing herself and 10 others. Buba described the horrific scene from his hospital bed in Maiduguri.
This bombing was the first of four suspected suicide attacks within a week, targeting a funeral, a hospital, and a security checkpoint, resulting in up to 32 deaths.
While no group claimed responsibility, Gwoza residents and the military suspect Boko Haram, noting the attacks’ targeting of civilians and security forces as a message to defectors and collaborators.
The use of female suicide bombers, a tactic last employed by Boko Haram in 2020, signals the group’s continued capacity for violence despite military pressure and internal conflict with the Islamic State West Africa Province.
The attacks have prompted concerns over the safety of communities harboring former fighters and highlight the ongoing instability in the region.
