At least 50 people were killed by a suicide bomber during morning prayers at a local mosque in northeastern Nigeria. No group has claimed the attack, but it fits with the modus operandi of that of Abubakr Shekau’s faction.
At least a dozen females and another five males have been used in suicide attacks so far this month. The rate of which females are used in this tactic remain on pace to quadruple in 2017 compared to last year.
Despite a relative lull in the use of females in suicide bombings in 2016 compared to 2015, West Africa is currently seeing a significant uptick in the use of females so far in 2017.
Women and girls continue to be utilized by the Islamic State West Africa (formerly known as Boko Haram). At least 123 suicide bombings involving females have been recorded in data compiled by FDD’s Long War Journal.
As the jihadist group continues its rampage in northeastern Nigeria and into neighboring states, the Islamic State’s West African province continues to utilize women and girls as suicide bombers. The use of females makes it easier for the jihadist group to conduct these attacks.
The coordinated assaults are likely intended to show that the jihadist group is still able to mount such attacks, despite some claims to the contrary.
At least 75 women and girls have carried out suicide attacks in northwest Nigeria, northern Cameroon, and southwestern Chad since the beginning of June 2014.
At least seven suicide attacks perpetrated by the Islamic State West Africa (formerly known as Boko Haram) in the last three weeks have been conducted by women.
The Islamic State West Africa (formerly known as Boko Haram) has utilized dozens of women and girls as suicide bombers over the last two years.
The suspected Boko Haram attacks in both Niger and Chad continue to demonstrate that the jihadist group is a threat to regional stability and not just Nigeria.
Nigerian, Cameroon troops oust Boko Haram from town, village
Boko Haram has attacked Niger for the first time. Fierce counterattacks by Chadian and Nigerian forces reportedly killed over 100 Boko Haram fighters. A Chadian general was also wounded in the battle.
Chadian forces crossed the border and stormed several towns held by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria. Fierce fighting has reportedly killed hundreds of insurgents over the past week. Battles continue in several strategic towns in the Lake Chad area.
10,000 Cameroonians have fled toward the interior of the country as Boko Haram has begun conducting attacks on the western border. A lack of agreement between Nigeria and Cameroon is frustrating efforts for the two countries to conduct joint operations against the jihadist group. Minister of Communication Issa Tchiroma Bakary has called for international support […]
Mistrust between Nigeria, Cameroon stalls fight against Boko Haram
Boko Haram attacked the village of Mabass in northern Cameroon on Jan. 18, destroying 80 houses and kidnapping between 20 and 80 people. The hostages were subsequently freed as Cameroonian “defence forces pursued the attackers who were heading back to Nigeria.”
Chad’s parliament voted 150 to 0 earlier this week to deploy an undisclosed number Chadian security forces to assist Cameroonian and Nigerian soldiers battling Boko Haram. The US and Russia have also pledged military assistance to Cameroon this week.
Boko Haram has continued its murderous rampage against civilians and security personnel. While concentrated in northeastern Nigeria, the group’s recent attacks have also targeted Cameroon and its security apparatus.
The army claimed to have killed 143 Boko Haram fighters among a group of “several hundred” yesterday who had attacked the Kolofata base near the Nigerian border. The military also reported that one of its officers was killed and four soldiers were wounded in the battle. Communications Minister Bakary said it was the largest loss […]
Police intercepted a female suicide bomber earlier this week before she could blow herself up in Dimako, in the eastern department of Haut-Nyong. In a video posted online on Jan. 5, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau threatened Cameroon and President Paul Biya.
Hundreds said killed by Boko Haram in attacks in northeastern Nigeria
With Schoolgirls Taken by Boko Haram Still Missing, US-Nigeria Ties Falter
The Cameroonian Air Force launched two airstrikes today against Boko Haram fighters who had taken over a military camp in Assighasia, killing several fighters and sending the rest fleeing. The Cameroonian operation against the Boko Haram fighters is still underway. On Dec. 26, the military reportedly killed 100 Boko Haram fighters and arrested 200 more […]
African leaders demand action in Libya
Nigerian Islamic uprising poses regional threat
Nigerian troops win back cities from extremists
Faced with Boko Haram, Cameroon weighs death penalty for terrorism
President Biya announced that 27 hostages kidnapped by Boko Haram months ago, including 10 Chinese workers and the wife of the deputy prime minister, were released to Cameroonian authorities. Suspected Boko Haram gunmen stormed Nigerian refugee camps in Kereomafa, across the border from Borno state, killing “many” refugees and seizing women; the attackers are said […]
6 killed in Boko Haram attacks in Cameroon
The government claimed to have killed over 100 Boko Haram fighters who were attempting to enter the country on Sept. 6 and repelled others back into the Nigerian town of Gamboru Ngala. Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said that two of the slain Boko Haram fighters were Tuaregs. Some schools in Cameroon near the Nigerian […]