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See The Numbers of People killed, Injured as a Result of Blasts in Northern Nigeria

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 30th, 2024.

See The Numbers of People killed, Injured as a Result of Blasts in Northern Nigeria

By Sofia Ferreira Santos

At least 18 people have lost their lives and 30 others have been injured following a series of explosions in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, according to officials.

One of the blasts reportedly occurred during a wedding ceremony on Saturday, killing six individuals and injuring several others. The state’s emergency management agency revealed that suspected suicide bombers targeted a wedding, a funeral, and a hospital in the town of Gwoza.

Borno state has been a hotspot for the 15-year insurgency led by Boko Haram militants, resulting in over 40,000 deaths and displacing more than two million people. Boko Haram gained international attention in 2014 with the abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, also in Borno state.

Authorities confirmed 18 deaths from Saturday’s attacks, which included children, adults, and pregnant women. However, some local media sources, including Vanguard and This Day newspapers, have reported that the death toll could be as high as 30.

In response to the attacks, the military has imposed a curfew in the area. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings yet.

Gwoza was initially captured by Boko Haram in 2014 but was reclaimed by Nigerian forces in 2015. Despite this, Boko Haram has continued to launch attacks and abductions in and around the town. Just last November, 20 people were killed by insurgents in Yobe state while returning from a funeral. This attack followed another incident where militants killed 17 villagers in Gurokayeya for refusing to pay a so-called harvest tax, according to police.