Eighteen people were killed on Saturday when four suicide bombers detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Gwoza, Borno State, according to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
The attack, one of the deadliest in the state in recent months, injured more than 30 individuals, with injuries ranging from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.
Barkindo Saidu, the Director-General of SEMA, witnessed the first blast. “In my presence, at about 3 PM, the first bomb blast in Gwoza occurred, detonated by a female suicide bomber in the midst of the marriage ceremony celebration,” he wrote in a situation report. “It affected more than 30 persons with various levels of injuries and instant death. Some minutes later, another blast occurred around General Hospital.”
The wedding took place at Tashan Mararaba near the Fire Service in Gwoza town. A survivor reported that the first bomber carried a baby on her back when she detonated the IED.
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As people gathered to bury those killed at the wedding, a third bomber, a woman, detonated another IED, causing numerous casualties.
While emergency officials were coordinating the rescue mission at the hospital, a fourth blast was triggered by a female teenager.
“So far, 18 deaths comprise children, adult males, females, and pregnant women. Nineteen seriously injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four ambulances,” Saidu said. At the time of his report, 23 individuals were waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic.
Evacuation of the injured continued into the night, with the SEMA DG coordinating the process from Gwoza.
Saidu also mentioned receiving a report of a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka but did not provide further details. In response to the attacks, the military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza Local Government Area.
