A series of suicide bombing left 18 people dead in Bono state in north-east Nigeria, an area where Boko Haram operates, according to an official tally. The attacks were perpetrated by three women, hitting a wedding, a funeral service, and a hospital in the town of Gwoza in Borno state, a region long plagued by insurgent activity, local media reported. Some Nigerian outlets said at least 30 were killed including women and children, as the country battles a series of jihadist groups operating in its north. Despite concerted efforts by the government and security forces, the terrorist threat persists. Factors contributing to the surge of violent extremism in the country include poor governance, corruption, and religious extremism.
