Boko Haram hits Nigerian mosque in deadly suicide bombing
At least 18 people were killed in the attack in the northeast city of Maiduguri by the Islamist militants, who have been striking farther afield in recent weeks.
At least 18 people were killed in the attack in the northeast city of Maiduguri by the Islamist militants, who have been striking farther afield in recent weeks.
A suicide bomber detonated explosives in a mosque in Maiduguri, Nigeria, on Friday, the latest in a string of attacks by Boko Haram in the northeastern city in the past month.
Twin bomb blasts went off during pre-dawn prayers at 5 a.m, killing at least 18 people, the Associated Press reports. The injured toll is at 20. A witness said there appeared to be only one bomber involved, even though two blasts were heard.聽
Boko Haram has increasingly used suicide bombers to target civilians, a new strategy that the Nigerian military says聽shows the group鈥檚 desperation. The military聽has made significant headway in curbing the insurgency, and pushing the Islamist group聽鈥� under the name Islamic State in West Africa Province聽鈥� further into Nigeria's Sambisa Forest.
But in response, militants have become more strategic with their targets, focusing on major cities like Abuja, the capital, and Maiduguri, which serves as the headquarters of the counterinsurgency effort and the birthplace of Boko Haram.聽 Allen Grane of the Council of Foreign Relations writes:
This week, the Nigerian police warned that the group was now building bombs within electronic devices like tablets, phones, and laptops, then leaving them for unsuspecting Nigerians to pick up. The police chief issued the warning after the arraignment on Thursday of five suspects connected with a double bombing in Nigeria鈥檚 capital that killed 18 people on Oct. 2.
The defendants were charged with conspiracy and acts of terrorism, according to Agence France-Presse. The case, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, was adjourned until a further hearing on November 17.
But even if Boko Haram militants are captured, more terrorist attacks should be expected, 海角大神 reported in September. Experts say the government should focus on providing security around towns and villages:
More than 1,000 people have been killed since President Muhammadu Buhari was elected in March with a pledge to wipe out Boko Haram. The group is held responsible for the death of about 20,000 people since 2009. At least 2.1 million people have been displaced by the fighting.