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 on Monday evening.
The coordinated explosions, suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram suicide bombers, targeted crowded locations including the Monday Market, the main gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), and the Post Office Flyover.
However, sources within the metropolis suggested a higher death toll, indicating that more than 40 people, including the attackers, may have died, with some victims reportedly succumbing to injuries while receiving treatment.
In a statement issued in the early hours of Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Daso, said the blasts occurred at about 7:24 p.m. and described the incidents as devastating.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
Regrettably, a total of 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he said.
Daso added that a joint team of police tactical units, the military, and other security agencies were immediately deployed to secure and cordon off the affected areas, while the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit conducted thorough sweeps to rule out further threats.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Naziru Abdulmajid, visited the affected sites for an on-the-spot assessment and expressed condolences to victims and their families, assuring residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), evacuated victims to nearby medical facilities where they are receiving treatment.
Police authorities said normalcy has been restored in the affected areas, with heightened security presence and surveillance across Maiduguri and its environs to prevent further attacks.
Meanwhile, the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, described the incidents as an attempt by terrorists to inflict mass casualties and create panic among residents.
In a statement signed by its Media Information Officer, Sani Uba, the task force said troops, in collaboration with police EOD teams and other security agencies, responded swiftly to secure the scenes and support rescue operations.
The military urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, avoid crowded areas where possible, and promptly report any suspicious persons or objects to security agencies.
Authorities also assured that efforts are ongoing to track down those responsible for the attacks and prevent further incidents, reiterating their commitment to restoring lasting peace in the region.
