On Wednesday, ruicide bombers killed 24 and wounded 18 at a Nigerian mosque. It is still unknown who is responsible for the attacks. Although no group has come forward claiming any involvement, The New York Times has reported Boko Haram is suspected to be behind it. Nigerian Army spokesman Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman released a statement suggesting Boko Haram is likely culpable based on their ties to prior terrorist activity in the area. The group is known for attacking in the area of Borno State capital Maiduguri.
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The suicide bombers involved in the Nigerian terrorist attacks where both females, according to Al Jazeera. One of the bombers detonated explosives inside a mosque and the other attacked outside. The Nigerian Army has had success taking back territory claimed by Boko Haram, but the group responded in recent months by increasing the number of bombings. Since 2009, Boko Haram has been responsible for about 20,000 deaths.
The Nigerian military uses Umarari as a command center close to Boko Haram territory, making it an appealing target for terrorists. In December, Boko Haram attacked Maiduguri; the group killed 50 people using bombs and grenades. Around that tie the group did another suicide bombing in a nearby town killing 30 people.
The Nigerian army is committed to fighting Boko Haram. The Nigerian Army also freed 800 hostages from northeastern villages. The largest number of hostages came from Kusumma village, where 520 people were rescued. More than 300 were rescued from 11 other villages.
Boko Haram is well-known for abducting women and girls. Just this week, Boko Haram kidnapped 16 women. The hostages were being escorted by “civilian vigilantes” at the time of their kidnapping as they collected firewood and fished. Two of the women that were kidnapped managed to fake their own deaths by drowning in a river; they later alerted the village they were from about the kidnappings. The women that were kidnapped were later rescued.
As the Nigerian Army continues to work against insurgents, Boko Haram’s attacks still prompt Nigerians to leave their homes. Though many Boko Haram fighters are being forced to take shelter in forests, the group continues to force displacement on a mass scale from Nigerian citizens scared for their own safety. The group’s potential involvement in the mosque attack has stoked fear in Maiduguri.
Prayers are go out to the Nigerian people during these extremely difficult and scary times. What are you thoughts? Comment below and let us know what you think.
Source: Romper
