September 2015 Borno State bombings
Part of Boko Haram insurgency
Location of Borno State in Nigeria
LocationMaiduguri and Monguno, Borno State, Nigeria
DateSeptember 20, 2015
~7:30–9:30 p.m. (UTC+01:00)
Attack type
Suicide attack, bombing
WeaponsImprovised explosive devices
Deaths145+
Injured97+ (police report)
150+ (local report)
PerpetratorsBoko Haram (suspected)

On the evening of September 20, 2015, a series of bombings took place in Maiduguri and Monguno, Nigeria, killing at least 145 people and injuring at least 97 others. The majority of casualties occurred in Maiduguri where four explosions killed at least 117 people.

Background

The bombings took place after more than a month without incident in Maiduguri from the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram.[1] An offensive by the Nigerian military in August, driving Boko Haram out of their bases in the region, resulted in a substantial drop in attacks.[1][2] Earlier on September 20, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video refuting claims by the Nigerian military that Boko Haram had been defeated.[3][4] No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, although Boko Haram is suspected.[5] Nigerian military spokesman Sani Usman stated that the event showed the "high level of desperation" of Boko Haram.[5] Abba Mohammed Bashir Shuwa, aide to Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, stated that the insurgents took advantage of crowds gathering ahead of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha.[6]

Maiduguri bombings

Around 7:30 p.m. local time (18:30 UTC) on September 20,[7] a series of four explosions were set off across Maiduguri, the capital and largest city in Borno State in northeastern Nigeria, within the span of 20 minutes, killing at least 54 people.[5][8][9] These were the largest attacks in the city since March 7, 2015, when a series of suicide bombings linked to Boko Haram killed 58 people.[10][11]

A suicide bomber set off improvised explosive devices (IED) at a mosque within Ajilari,[1] killing at least 43 people.[9] Two explosions took place at a market in the city after insurgents tossed IEDs into a viewing center, killing at least 11[1][9] and as many as 15 people.[12] The fourth bombing took place at a game center.[3] Police spokesman Victor Isuku stated at least 97 were injured.[8] A civilian defense group reported that at least 80 people were killed in the city and stated that the police cited a lower total due to families immediately burying relatives.[13] Residents claimed the toll to be higher, including at least 85 deaths.[12] On September 22, local hospitals reported that 117 people were known dead, with 72 at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and 45 at Borno State Specialist Hospital.[14]

Monguno bombings

Approximately two hours after the bombings in Maiduguri, two more bombs were set off at a checkpoint in the market town of Monguno about 135 km (84 mi) away, killing at least 28 people.[7][8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lanre Ola & Julia Payne (September 21, 2015). "At least 54 people killed in bomb blasts in Nigeria's Maiduguri". Maiduguri, Nigeria: Reuters. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  2. ↑ "DHQ: Nigerian Troops Have Destroyed All Boko Haram Camps". This Day Live. September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "50 killed in multiple blasts in Nigeria". Business Standard. September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  4. ↑ Ludovica Iaccino (September 21, 2015). "Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau calls Nigerian Army liars as deadly attacks continue". International Business Times. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis: Maiduguri blasts kill dozens". BBC News. September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  6. ↑ Norimitsu Onishi (September 22, 2015). "More than 100 Killed by Boko Haram Bombings in Nigeria". New York Times. Abuja, Nigeria. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Lanre Ola; Isaac Abrak; Alexis Akwagyiram & Julia Payne (September 22, 2015). "At least 80 people killed in bomb blasts in Nigeria's Borno state". Maiduguri, Nigeria: Reuters. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 "Extremist attack killed at least 100 in Nigeria, defense group says". Maiduguri, Nigeria: CBS News. Associated Press. September 22, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 "Dozens die in blasts in Borno state capital, Nigerian official says". Abuja, Nigeria: CBS News. Associated Press. September 22, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Nigerian city of Maiduguri hit by multiple blasts". BBC News. September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  11. ↑ "5 suicide blasts hit Nigerian city of Maiduguri, 54 killed". Yahoo News. March 7, 2015.
  12. 1 2 Bukar Hussain (September 21, 2015). "85 dead in new Boko Haram strike on Nigeria's Maiduguri". Yahoo! News. Agence France-Pressse. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  13. ↑ Jossy Ola (September 22, 2015). "Nigeria defense group: At least 100 killed in Sunday's blasts in northeastern Borno state". U.S. News. Associated Press. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Death toll hits 117 after NE Nigeria bombings: medics". Maiduguri, Nigeria: Yahoo! News. Agence France-Presse. September 22, 2015. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
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