Nigeria: Suspected suicide bomber kills 20 in Adamawa state May 1

Event

A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber attacked a mosque in Mubi (Adamawa state) on Tuesday, May 1. According to initial reports, the device exploded during afternoon prayers. Local police officials said that at least 20 people were killed in the blast. Unconfirmed reports indicate that a second attack may have also occurred after the bombing. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of May 1.

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 advanced against Boko Haram insurgents last year and pushed them out of much of their previously claimed territory, attacks by the insurgent group have again 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.