The recent surge in terrorist activity and the reintroduction of suicide bombings in Northeastern Nigeria is a sad and worrisome development. At around 3:40 pm on June 29, 2024, a female detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) near a three-way intersection close to a busy motor park at Gwoza, Borno State. This tragic attack led to the death of six people and many more people being injured.
A report from a police spokesperson indicates that the bomber had her baby on her back that was also killed when the bomb was detonated. In quick succession; a second suicide bomber targeted the Gwoza’s General Hospital while the third bomber pretended to be mourning victims and launched another attack on those participating in the burial of the first suicide bomber, resulting to the death of one person and leaving sixteen people critically injured. It is estimated that these devastating series of bomb blasts claimed the lives of at least 30 people which included men, women, children and even pregnant women with over 100 people seriously injured.
This tragic incident paints a harsh recall of the earlier days between 2010 and 2015, when Boko Haram, the Nigerian Islamic fundamentalist sect, unleashed an orgy of bombings and other terror attacks across Nigeria. Nigeria experienced one of the most horrendous periods of uninterrupted terror strikes – a history that will not be easily forgotten. The radical sect launched a series of bombings, armed attacks and abductions with the ultimate objective of destabilizing Nigeria and éclat its extremist agenda, which was centered on establishing an Islamic state in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. Some major cities such as Abuja (the capital), Kano (a commercial nerve center) and Maiduguri (home base for the fanatical group) vibrated with deadly bombs and other forms of kinetic attacks which claimed the lives of thousands of people, with many others maimed physically and traumatized mentally.
Despite daunting odds, the Nigerian government and military fought back against the insurgency, bolstered by international partners. These efforts yielded significant success, driving Boko Haram out of its strongholds and restoring a measure of normalcy to affected areas. But deadly attacks in recent months suggest Boko Haram which renamed itself the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in May 2015 is back on its feet with the resurgence of terror activities. Their recent activities have also shown some lapses in Nigeria’s security architecture. Hence, there is a need for a renewed, proactive approach to curb the increasing rate of terrorism.
The painful events in Gwoza show the need for Nigeria to review and strengthen its counter-terrorism measures. The government should invest in intelligence and surveillance to detect and stop crimes before they occur, improve coordination among security agencies, increase personnel training and equip them with modern technology. In addition, the government must promote community engagement and partnership. Usually, locals are the first to notice strange movements, thus building trust with security agencies would encourage more reliable information on early warning signals that could help prevent the occurrence of such attacks.
Moreover, it is paramount to deal with the root causes of terrorism. For example, poverty, unemployment and illiteracy are some areas that enhance opportunities for people to indulge in susceptive activities. By investing in social and economic development, the government can provide alternatives to the vulnerable populations that extremist groups prey upon. We must ensure that youth and women have access to education and employment opportunities that can divert them from the path of radicalization and towards contributing positively to society.
The international community, too, can do more. Intelligence sharing, training and resources can strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terror. Regional cooperation among West African nations is equally important, as terrorist groups often operate across borders. A unified, regional approach can prevent the spread of extremist ideologies and disrupt their operations.
The recent bombings should be a wake-up call to all concerned – the Nigerian government, security agencies, civil society and the international community. We cannot afford to be complacent. Let us learn from the past so that we do not make similar mistakes in the future. The Nigerian government must rise to this challenge. Beyond expressions of condolences, decisive and proactive actions must be taken to prevent this kind of massacre from occurring again in Nigeria’s North East or anywhere else in Nigeria. Nigerians have suffered enough and they deserve to live in peace instead of being violated by these perpetrators of terror.
The re-emergence of terrorist activity in Northeastern Nigeria is a dire warning that the battle against extremism is far from over. It is a clarion call for a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to security that combines robust counter-terrorism measures with long-term socio-economic development. Through such concerted efforts, Nigeria can hope to achieve lasting peace and security for all its citizens.
