In a horrifying incident late Friday night, at least 10 people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device inside a restaurant in Konduga, a town located in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden Borno state. The local police confirmed the tragic event, with spokesperson Nahum Daso stating that emergency responders rushed to the scene to assist the wounded. The blast has once again shaken the region, already scarred by over a decade of extremist violence.

While no group has officially claimed responsibility for this attack, suspicion naturally falls on the extremist groups active in the region — primarily Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These militant factions have consistently targeted public places, including markets, mosques, and eateries, with the intention of creating widespread fear and chaos. The timing and location of the bombing suggest a strategic effort to inflict maximum civilian casualties.

Boko Haram’s insurgency, which began in 2009 with a violent campaign against Western education and secular governance, has plunged northeast Nigeria into a deep humanitarian crisis. According to United Nations estimates, the prolonged conflict has resulted in over 35,000 deaths and displaced more than two million people. The latest restaurant bombing is a grim reminder of the persistent threat these groups pose to both Nigeria and the greater Lake Chad Basin region.