Deadly Bombings in Northeastern Nigeria
Authorities report that at least 23 individuals lost their lives and 108 were injured following three suspected suicide bombings in northeastern Nigeria on Monday evening.
The attack is considered one of the most devastating incidents in Maiduguri in recent times. According to local residents and emergency services, the explosions took place both at the main market and at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Borno police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso mentioned that a suspected suicide bomber was behind the attack, adding that the injured victims “suffered varying degrees of injury.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu described the incident as “a desperate act by a terrorist group with an evil heart.” He expressed confidence that “our brave military-civilian task force will restrain and quell them.”
While no group has claimed responsibility, suspicions point toward Boko Haram, a jihadist organization known for its violent activities in the region since 2009.
Details indicate that the first explosion occurred near the hospital around 7:30 p.m., followed shortly by two additional blasts at the crowded Monday Market and nearby Post Office area.
Witness accounts reveal that security personnel and emergency teams responded rapidly to the scene.
Caleb Jonah, a survivor who was at the hospital, recalled hearing a commotion before the deafening blast. He suffered injuries to his hands and feet, stating, “I was at the hospital to see a patient when I saw two men fighting with security guards at the gate… Before I realized what was happening, I heard a deafening explosion and blacked out.”
Another local, Manman Usman, shared that his brother, who was preparing to close his shop at the Monday Market, was severely injured in the attack and taken to the hospital unconscious.
Mohamed Hassan, a volunteer working alongside security forces, reported that hospitals were “in dire need of blood” to assist victims.
Although Maiduguri has been relatively peaceful in recent years, the region has experienced its share of violence. The attack occurred less than a day after Nigerian troops thwarted an assault by insurgents on the city’s outskirts, leading some to speculate that this bombing might have been a diversion.
In the wake of the attack, many public places remained shut on Tuesday, and heightened security was evident along the city’s main roads.
The Borno Police Command confirmed that investigations are underway, emphasizing the need to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice. Recent weeks have seen a noticeable increase in attacks by Islamic extremists on Nigerian military bases, resulting in the deaths of multiple soldiers and the theft of military equipment.
