Authorities say female suicide bombers kill at least 18 people in coordinated attack in Nigeria

In coordinated attacks in northern Nigeria, female suicide bombers targeted a wedding, a funeral and a hospital, killing at least 18 people, local authorities said on Sunday.

The first bomb detonated during a wedding celebration in the northeastern town of Gwoza, Barkindo Saidu, director general of the disaster management agency in Borno state, told reporters.

“Minutes later, another explosion occurred near the General Hospital,” said Saidu. The third attacker at the funeral was disguised as a mourner. Children and pregnant women were among the dead. At least 30 others were injured.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Borno state has been severely affected by the insurgency of the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, which began in 2009.

In the past, Boko Haram has used women and girls in suicide attacks, raising suspicions that some of the attackers are among the many thousands of people the extremists have abducted over the years, including schoolchildren. The suicide attacks targeted a wedding, a funeral and a hospital, injuring 30 people.