The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that at least 23 people were killed and 108 others injured following multiple suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Monday evening.
According to police authorities, the coordinated explosions occurred around 7 p.m. on March 16 in different parts of the city during the period when many residents were breaking their Ramadan fast.
The blasts reportedly targeted busy locations, including the Post Office area, the popular Monday Market axis and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Witnesses said the explosions caused panic as people fled the crowded areas while emergency responders rushed victims to nearby hospitals.
Police said the attacks were believed to have been carried out by suspected suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices. Although no group has officially claimed responsibility, security agencies suspect the involvement of the extremist group Boko Haram, which has carried out numerous attacks in the region over the past decade.
Emergency response teams, including officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and medical personnel, evacuated injured victims to several health facilities across the city for urgent treatment.
Authorities said many of the victims were taken to hospitals including the State Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, where doctors are currently attending to those with varying degrees of injuries.
Security agencies have since intensified patrols and surveillance across the metropolis as investigations continue to identify and track down those responsible for the attacks.
Officials also urged residents to remain calm but vigilant and to report any suspicious movement or unattended items to security agencies.
The latest incident underscores the lingering security challenges in Nigeria’s North-East, where insurgent groups have waged a violent campaign since 2009, leading to thousands of deaths and mass displacement of civilians.
