Nigeria: Deadly twin suicide bombings in Adamawa May 1 /update 1

Event

Two suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers detonated their explosive devices in Mubi (Adamawa state) on Tuesday afternoon (local time), May 1. The first attack took place in front of a local mosque during afternoon prayers and the second in front of a nearby market. Unconfirmed reports indicate that between 24 and 40 people were killed in the attacks and some 60 others injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks as of Wednesday, May 2.

Context

The northeastern region of Nigeria is highly susceptible to attacks by Boko Haram, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) in March 2015 and formally adopted the name of Islamic State in West Africa. While Nigerian military forces have pushed Boko Haram insurgents from much of their previously-claimed territory over the past year, attacks by the insurgent group have been on the rise since June 2017.

Advice

The security environment in Nigeria is complex, and is particularly concerning in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, and Kano states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). It is also advisable to avoid nonessential travel to Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, and Kaduna states. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.