On the evening of 16 June 2019, three suicide bombers detonated their explosives in Konduga village in Borno State, Nigeria, killing 30 people and wounding over 40.[1][2] The first bomber targeted football fans who were watching a game on television in the hall.[3] He was blocked from entering the hall by the owner. A heated argument ensued, during which the bomber detonated his explosives. This attack was the most deadly suicide bombing in 2019 in Nigeria.[4] Soon after, the other two - both of whom were female[2] - blew themselves up nearby.[1]
| 2019 Konduga bombings | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Boko Haram insurgency | |
 | |
| Location | Konduga, Borno, Nigeria |
| Date | 16 June 2019 |
| Target | Football fans |
Attack type | Suicide bombings |
| Weapons | Suicide vest |
| Deaths | 30 (+3 attackers) |
| Injured | 40+ |
Konduga had suffered previous attacks, including massacres in January 2014 and in February 2014, a triple suicide bombing in February 2018 and a suicide bombing at a mosque in July 2018.[3]
On 27 July 2019, a group returning from a funeral in Nganzai, Borno State, were the victims of a mass shooting. At least 65 people were killed. There was no claim of responsibility, but Islamist group Boko Haram often carries out massacres, most often in Borno.[5]
Responsibility edit
There was no claim of responsibility, though the Konduga attack bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram. One of the group's bases is in nearby Maiduguri.[6] BH regards football as un-Islamic and a corrupting Western influence.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b "Suicide blast kills football fans in Nigeria". 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
- ^ a b Bukola Adebayo (17 June 2019). "30 dead in triple suicide bomb blasts in Nigeria". CNN. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
- ^ a b "Nigeria suicide attack: Triple blasts kill at least 30 in Borno". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
- ^ a b "Triple suicide attack kills at least 30 in northeast Nigeria". Reuters. 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
- ^ "Suspected Islamists kill at least 65 in northeast Nigeria - state TV". Reuters. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- ^ "30 killed in Nigeria suicide bombing while watching TV match". ABC News. Retrieved 2019-06-17.