3 Boko Haram suicide bombers kill many in Borno viewing centre

At least 30 people were killed in an attack carried out by three Boko Haram suicide bombers at Mandareri-Sambisa ward of Konduga local government area of Borno State.

The three bombers detonated their Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while football fans were watching a game on TV around 9 pm on Sunday, June 16, 2019.

The Head of Rescue Operation of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Usman Kachalla, disclosed on Monday that at least 30 were killed with over 40 also injured.

Since Boko Haram's insurgency escalated in 2009, the group has killed around 30,000 people and displaced millions in the northeast region, with its operations also extending to border countries like Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

The main faction led by Abubakar Shekau built a reputation for suicide bombings after intense military operations in 2015 and 2016 dislodged it from its Sambisa Forest stronghold.

However, incidents of suicide bombings have since reduced as the faction has lost most of its operational strength.

Another faction, the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), which broke off in 2016 has grown in influence and has been carrying out savage attacks on military bases since last year.