Multiple Bomb Blasts Rock Maiduguri, Death Toll Rises to 23
Residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, were thrown into fear on Monday evening after a series of loud explosions rocked several parts of the city. The blasts, which occurred between 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM local time, struck shortly after many had broken their Ramadan fast.
According to an official statement from the Borno State Police Command, at least 23 people have been confirmed dead, with 108 others rushed to hospitals with various injuries. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, stated that the incidents happened around 7:24 PM and involved improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Security sources report that the explosions were coordinated, hitting at least four locations, though police statements have primarily focused on three major scenes.
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- Monday Market (El-Kanemi): One of the busiest commercial hubs in the city was hit, causing panic among traders and shoppers who were closing for the day.
- University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Gate: An explosion occurred at the entrance of the hospital, a location that quickly became a reception point for the injured .
- Post Office Area: A blast reportedly erupted from a tricycle, commonly known as Keke Napep, at a busy bus stop in the heart of the metropolis.
- Other Areas: Residents also reported explosions or suspicious activity in the Kaleri and Jiddari neighborhoods, specifically near the FOMWAN school.
Preliminary investigations suggest the attack was carried out by multiple suicide bombers. Security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that at least one female bomber was involved in the attacks .
Following the blasts, a combined team of Police Tactical Units, military personnel, and other joint security operatives were quickly moved to the affected areas . The Borno State Police Command deployed its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit to sweep the sites and rule out any additional threats.
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Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), moved in to evacuate the wounded. Victims are currently receiving treatment at UMTH, the State Specialist Hospital, and Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital.
ASP Daso confirmed that normalcy has been restored in the affected areas, but security has been increased across the metropolis to prevent further incidents . He urged residents to remain calm and report any suspicious movements to the authorities.
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Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, condemned the attacks in a statement released by his media aide, Dauda Iliya .
Governor Zulum described the bombings as “barbaric and inhumane,” expressing deep sorrow for the victims . He noted that the recent surge in attacks is likely connected to the intense military operations currently underway in the Sambisa Forest and other hideouts of insurgents . He urged residents to stay calm and cooperate with security agencies as assessments continue.
Who is Behind the Attack?
As of the time of this report, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the bombings. However, the method of attack and the targets chosen follow the established patterns of Boko Haram or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Both groups have a long history of targeting crowded public spaces in the region, especially during significant times like the Ramadan period.
The attack breaks a period of relative calm in Maiduguri, which had seen reduced violence in recent years compared to the peak of the insurgency in the mid-2010s.
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