Kawori, Borno State – At least 16 people were killed and dozens more critically wounded in a bomb explosion at a roadside market in Kawori, a rural area in Nigeria’s Borno state.
The attack occurred around 8 p.m. local time Wednesday, targeting a popular teashop in the Konduga area, approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the state capital, Maiduguri.
Local officials have confirmed that the bomb used in the attack was an improvised explosive device (IED) planted within the teashop. The state emergency management agency reported that around 24 people were seriously injured, with the number of critically wounded still being assessed.
Authorities have not yet identified the perpetrators, but suspicion falls on Boko Haram, the Islamic militant group responsible for numerous insurgent attacks in Nigeria and neighboring countries since 2009.
This bombing follows a recent triple suicide bombing in Gwoza, another town in Borno state, highlighting the persistent violence plaguing the region.
Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have been responsible for over 35,000 deaths and the displacement of 2.6 million people in the past 15 years. Their objective is to establish an Islamic state across the region, particularly targeting Nigeria.
In response to the attack, the Borno state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew to maintain order and prevent further unrest. The curfew comes amidst growing tensions and protests against Nigeria’s rising cost of living, with demonstrators in Maiduguri facing tear gas from the police.
“Hardly a day goes by without a Boko Haram incident against civilians, particularly in Borno State,” said Malik Samuel, a researcher on the Lake Chad conflict. “Many attacks go unreported due to restricted access to affected areas.”
Despite claims of progress in countering the insurgency, Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to pose a significant threat, targeting civilians and expanding their operations. The violence underscores the ongoing challenges in stabilizing the region and addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by the insurgency.
 from the state capital, Maiduguri){kind=link}