Incident Summary:

06/16/2018: Assailants fired rocket-propelled grenades at civilians gathered at the scene of earlier attacks in Damboa, Borno, Nigeria. At least 37 people were killed and 35 others were injured in the attack. This was one of three related attacks that occurred in Damboa on this date. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the incidents.

GTD ID:
201806160004

When:
2018-06-16

Country:
Nigeria

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Borno

City:
Damboa district

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Not Applicable
Specific Description Civilians
Nationality of Target Nigeria
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Projectile (rockets, mortars, RPGs, etc.)
Weapon Details
Rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) State Actors
Additional Information There is doubt that this incident meets terrorism-related criteria. Sources suspected that the incident may have been the result of a military artillery misfire, which the military denied. Casualty numbers conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the most recent reliable estimates are reported here.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Boko Haram Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Call (post-incident))
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 37 Fatalities / 35 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 37
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 35
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Suicide Blasts In NE Nigeria Kill At Least 31," AFP (World Service), June 17, 2018.
"Death toll in Borno bombings increase to 43," Pulse.ng, June 18, 2018.
"How 6 female bombers killed 32 in Borno," Vanguard, June 17, 2018.