Suspected female suicide bombers kill at least 18 in Nigeria, authorities say
Authorities in Nigeria's northeastern city of Gwoza say at least 18 people have been killed and 30 injured, including 19 seriously, in coordinated attacks by suspected female suicide bombers
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — At least 18 people were killed and 30 injured, including 19 seriously, in coordinated attacks by suspected female suicide bombers in the northeastern Nigerian town of Gwoza on Saturday, local authorities said.
The first suicide bomber detonated an explosive device during a marriage celebration at about 3 p.m., Barkindo Saidu, director-general of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, told reporters.
“Minutes later, another blast occurred near General Hospital,” Saidu said, and then there was a third attack at a funeral service by a female bomber disguised as a mourner. Children and pregnant women were among those killed.
No one has so far claimed responsibility for the the attacks, but Gwoza is in Borno state, which has been heavily impacted by an insurgency launched in 2009 by Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group.
