Deadly Female Suicide Bombings in Northern Nigeria

A tragic incident unfolded in northern Nigeria over the weekend when a woman detonated a bomb while holding a baby, resulting in the deaths of both of them and at least six others. This shocking event abruptly ended a brief respite from the longstanding violence plaguing the region for more than a decade.

The suicide bomber was part of a group that included two other female attackers in Borno State, who carried out a series of bombings, killing a minimum of 32 people and injuring numerous others, as confirmed by Vice President Kashim Shettima. This episode underscored the intricate and deadly roles women can assume in terrorist activities such as those orchestrated by Boko Haram.

The attacks targeted three different locations: a wedding celebration, an area near a hospital, and a funeral service for the victims of the initial bombing. These incidents occurred in Gwoza city, an area that was formerly under the control of Boko Haram for 15 years.

Although no group has claimed responsibility yet, the modus operandi of the attacks closely resembles previous suicide bombings linked to Boko Haram. This Islamist extremist group has been responsible for a significant number of casualties and the displacement of millions of people in the region, gaining international attention in 2014 following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls.

Utilization of Women in Suicide Bombings

Armed groups often employ women as suicide bombers due to the perception that they are less valuable to the organization and offer tactical advantages. According to experts, women are chosen for such missions because they are less likely to raise suspicions and can penetrate targets more effectively.

Professor Mia Bloom, an expert on female suicide bombers from Georgia State University, highlighted that terrorist groups prefer women when targeting civilians or essential infrastructure because they can easily blend in and avoid being identified as potential threats.