On 29 June 2024, at least three bomb blasts targeted several areas in Gwoza, Borno State, in northeastern Nigeria, killing at least 30 people and injuring at least 100.[1] The first blast struck a wedding ceremony at 3:00 p.m. local time, followed by another at General Hospital Gwoza before a third bombing struck a funeral.[2] State emergency management officials blamed suicide bombers.[3]
| Date | June 29, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Time | 3:00 pm (GMT+1) |
| Location | Gwoza, Borno State, Nigeria |
| Type | Suicide bombing |
| Deaths | 30+ |
| Non-fatal injuries | 100+ |
Background
editIn 2014, Boko Haram militants seized the city of Gwoza before it was taken back by Nigerian forces in 2015, with Boko Haram continuing to launch attacks and carry out kidnappings near the town.[3]
Bombings
editAt around 3:40 p.m. GMT+1, a female suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device at a crowded motor park near a three-way intersection following a wedding ceremony in the town of Gwoza, resulting in six deaths and multiple injuries. A police spokesperson reported that the suicide bomber had a baby wrapped behind her, which was also killed in the blast.[4]
A second suicide bomber targeted General Hospital Gwoza, while a third bomber disguised as a mourner targeted a funeral of the first attack's victims, killing at least one person and injuring sixteen more.[5] The Nigerian military imposed a curfew following the attacks. The director general of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Dr. Barkindo Muhammad Saidu visited the site of the blasts in Gwoza Town.[3] He said the dead include men, children and pregnant women, and 19 seriously injured victims were taken to Borno State capital, Maiduguri.
A member of a militia assisting the Nigerian military in Gwoza claimed that a separate bombing at a security post killed two of his men and a Nigerian soldier.[6]
References
edit- ^ Marama, Ndahi (30 June 2024). "30 feared dead, 100 injured in Borno as female suicide bombers hit wedding, funeral". Vanguard News. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ Hauser, Jennifer (2024-06-29). "Bomb blasts kill at least 18 in Nigeria". CNN. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ^ a b c "18 Killed In Serial Suicide Bomb Blast In Northeast Nigeria". news.abplive.com. 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ^ Benson, Nneoma (29 June 2024). "Female Suicide Bomber Backing Baby, 'Mourner' Kill Six, Injure Over 15 In Borno Twin Attack — Police". The Whistler. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Scores killed as terrorist bombs wedding in Nigeria". Mehr News Agency. 2024-06-29. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ^ "18 Killed, 42 Injured In Series Of Suicide Attacks In Nigeria". NDTV. 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-06-30.