Female suicide bomber kills between 12 and 24 in Borno State food joint blast
On June 20, 2025, a suspected female suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at a crowded fish market food joint in Konduga, near Maiduguri in northeastern Borno State—an area frequently targeted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants.
Authorities reported that between 12 and 24 people were killed, with dozens more injured, though official casualty figures remain under review as investigations continue.
Witnesses described a scene of horrific devastation, with panicked market-goers attempting to flee amid smoke and debris. Emergency services rushed survivors to nearby hospitals, while local rescuers struggled to combat the chaos.
The strategic deployment of a female bomber aligns with militant tactics aimed at maximizing civilian casualties and exploiting perceived biases in security screening.
Vice President Kasim Shettima responded swiftly, pledging immediate government action to reinforce security in Borno and protect vulnerable marketplaces.
He emphasized that intelligence operations are being intensified to track and eliminate sleeper cells operating in northeastern Nigeria.
Analysts warn this attack signifies a troubling resilience among insurgent groups, who continue to challenge the state's authority despite ongoing military campaigns.
The use of female attackers, in particular, marks an evolution in tactics—pointing to an urgent need for community-level vigilance and adaptive counterterrorism strategies across the region.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
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