Tragedy struck Borno State on Wednesday when a suicide bomber targeted a group of mourners in Dalori, near Maiduguri, killing at least two people and injuring three others. The attack took place as locals gathered to mourn the death of a community member killed in a Boko Haram attack the day before.
The bomber, believed to be affiliated with the terrorist group Boko Haram, stealthily infiltrated the crowd before detonating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), causing a devastating blast. “The attack was quick and deadly, and we are still trying to comprehend the extent of the damage,” a local resident who witnessed the attack recounted.
The group of mourners had been grieving the loss of one of their own, who was killed during an attack on Dalori by Boko Haram on Tuesday. The initial assault left two people injured and left the community in a state of shock, only for the terror to continue the following day.
“The victims of the bombing were just here to mourn the loss of a loved one when the explosion occurred,” said the witness, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. “It’s difficult to express the pain we feel. It’s as if we cannot even grieve in peace anymore.”
Local authorities swiftly responded to the attack, with security agencies moving in to restore order. According to Nahum Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Borno State Command, normalcy has been restored to the area. “A bomb attack was reported in Dalori, but normalcy has returned to the area,” Daso confirmed in a statement to the press. However, the emotional toll on the community remains heavy.
Background Context and Rising Threat of Boko Haram in Borno
This attack underscores the ongoing insecurity in Borno, a state that has been at the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency since its escalation in 2009. Boko Haram has been notorious for its ruthless attacks on civilians, including suicide bombings, kidnappings, and bombings targeting crowded gatherings. The insurgency, now split into factions such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has led to thousands of deaths and displaced millions over the years.
The violence in Borno escalated following the resurgence of the Islamic State-affiliated ISWAP, which has increasingly carried out drone strikes and coordinated attacks against military and civilian targets. Just a day before the bombing in Dalori, ISWAP militants launched a drone assault on a military base in Wajiroko, a remote area in Damboa Local Government, Borno State.
ISWAP’s Recent Assault on Wajiroko Military Base
The military base at Wajiroko was initially attacked late on Tuesday night by ISWAP militants using a variety of firearms, aiming to overwhelm the troops stationed there. The soldiers managed to repel the assault, forcing the terrorists into retreat. However, the terrorists regrouped and returned shortly after with drones equipped with locally fabricated grenades.
While the military has yet to provide an official statement regarding the extent of the damage, sources within the region have confirmed that five soldiers sustained injuries in the attack, and military equipment was damaged. “The troops fought valiantly, but the terror group’s new tactics are becoming harder to counter,” a military source said.
The use of drones in combat by ISWAP is part of a growing trend, signaling a shift in the way terror groups operate in the region. “They are becoming more sophisticated in their approach, which makes it harder for us to anticipate and prevent these attacks,” another military official stated.
Although the Nigerian military has intensified its operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP, the insurgency remains a serious threat to peace and stability in the region. The recent wave of attacks has left the civilian population and military personnel on high alert, with both groups struggling to cope with the frequency and brutality of these assaults.
Local Impact and Continued Terror
The people of Borno continue to endure the emotional and physical scars of the insurgency, with communities often caught in the crossfire of these ongoing conflicts. The suicide bombing in Dalori has further compounded the grief of a community already struggling with the loss of one of its own. Many families in Borno live in a constant state of fear, never knowing when the next attack will strike.
The local government and humanitarian organizations have called for more international support to help stabilize the region and address the needs of those affected by the conflict. The rise in bombings, particularly suicide bombings, has left many residents feeling helpless. “We need more help, more security. It’s not just the soldiers who are under threat but also the innocent civilians,” one local official stated.
Despite these challenges, residents of Borno remain resilient, determined to rebuild their lives in the face of relentless violence. “We have lost many, but we will not give up,” said a Dalori resident, who was at the scene of the bombing. “We will continue to mourn, to pray, and to stand strong in the face of terror.”
