The death toll from multiple bomb blasts in Gwoza, Borno state, on Saturday night has risen to 23, with several victims still receiving treatment.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the bomb attacks are alleged to have been carried out by female suicide bombers from Boko Haram.
The Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Barkindo Muhammad Saidu who visited the scene of the incidents, confirmed that the first blast occurred at a wedding ceremony, and the second blast happened at the funeral service for the victims. The second bomber was disguised as a mourner.
Families from across the region are anxiously waiting for updates on their loved ones.
In response, the military has enforced a curfew in Gwoza to prevent further attacks.
While Boko Haram has lost access and control in recent years, insurgents continue to attack rural communities in Nigeria on a regular basis.Boko Haram has repeatedly used young women and girls for suicide attack operations.
The group took control of Gwoza in 2014 when its militants captured swathes of territories in northern Borno.It took the joint effort of Nigerian military with help from Chadian forces in 2015 to take back the territory.
However, the group continues to launch attacks from mountains near the town.The violence has killed over 40,000 people and displaced around two million in Nigeria’s northeast.
