Nigerian emergency services reported that a series of suspected suicide bombings in northeastern Borno state killed at least 18 people and injured several others.

Nigerian emergency services reported that a series of explosions in Borno state in northeastern Nigeria resulted in at least 18 fatalities and several injuries on Saturday.

According to AFP news agency, citing authorities, one of the incidents involved a woman carrying a baby on her back who detonated explosives at a wedding in the town of Gwoza near Cameroon.

A second explosion occurred at a hospital in the same town, followed by another attack later in the day at the funeral for victims of the initial blast, authorities confirmed.

Barkindo Saidu, head of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), stated in a release, "So far, 18 deaths comprising children, men, females, and pregnant women. The degree of injuries ranges from abdominal ruptures, skull fractures, and limb fractures."

Authorities reported that 19 others sustained severe injuries, while additional individuals suffered less serious injuries.

Gwoza town was seized by Boko Haram militants in 2014 and later recaptured by the Nigerian military with assistance from Chad's forces. However, it has since been the target of several attacks.

Borno state has been a focal point of the crisis, with Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly active in the region.

Boko Haram has raided numerous towns, resulting in the abduction or killing of thousands and displacing approximately two million people in the northeastern region. Despite military efforts to curb their influence, the group continues to launch attacks against civilians.

The crisis has also affected neighboring countries such as Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, prompting the formation of a military alliance among these nations to combat the extremist group.