Casepin
Back to cases

Active case

Dikwa suicide bombings

UNSOLVED2016Dikwa IDP camp, Borno State, Nigeria3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026

Documents violence · ongoing investigation — written to inform, not to shock.

Illustrative

On the morning of February 9, 2016, at approximately 6:30 a.m. local time (5:30 GMT), an attack occurred at a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Dikwa, a town located about 90 km (55 miles) northeast of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Nigeria. Borno State is also identified as the birthplace of the militant group Boko Haram.

According to officials, three suicide bombers infiltrated the camp disguised as refugees. Two of the bombers, both women reported to be between the ages of 17 and 20, detonated their explosives as displaced people were queuing for food rations. The attack killed more than 60 people and injured 78 others.

A third bomber, identified only by the name Hauwa — described as not her real name — reportedly refused to detonate her explosive vest after entering the camp and discovering that her relatives were present among the displaced population. Two additional individuals also reportedly refused to detonate their vests and escaped the camp.

The attackers were affiliated with Boko Haram, the militant group active in northeastern Nigeria.

In the aftermath of the attack, Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo issued a statement addressing the nation, saying: "The full weight of the Federal Government's force will be deployed to hunt down the perpetrators of this evil act and confront terrorists who threaten lives, liberty and property of all Nigerians."

No individuals have been named as charged, convicted, or otherwise identified through legal proceedings in connection with this attack based on available source material. The case remains associated with the broader pattern of Boko Haram-linked violence against displaced persons and civilians in northeastern Nigeria during this period.

Key facts

Victims
On file
Date
2016
Location
Dikwa IDP camp, Borno State, Nigeria
Case status
unsolved

Case timeline

  1. 2016-02-09

    Two female suicide bombers detonate explosives at a camp for internally displaced persons in Dikwa, Nigeria, killing more than 60 people and injuring 78 others; a third bomber and two other individuals reportedly refuse to detonate their explosives.

Best coverage

No approved coverage links are attached yet.

People

No public people records are attached yet.

Places

Common questions

What happened to the victim?
On February 9, 2016, two female suicide bombers affiliated with Boko Haram detonated explosives at a camp for displaced people in Dikwa, Nigeria, killing more than 60 people and injuring 78 others.
Where did the crime happen?
Dikwa IDP camp, Borno State, Nigeria.
What is the current status of the case?
Status: unsolved.

Sources

  1. Dikwa suicide bombingswikipedia · Wikipedia · 2026-07-07
  2. Contemporaneous coverage of the Dikwa suicide bombingsnews · The New York Times · 2026-07-07
  3. Contemporaneous coverage of the Dikwa suicide bombingsnews · Reuters · 2026-07-07