JUST IN: Police confirm 23 killed, 108 injured in Maiduguri blast
…normalcy returns to Maiduguri No fewer than 23 persons have been confirmed dead, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a series of suspected suicide bomb explosions in
...normalcy returns to Maiduguri
No fewer than 23 persons have been confirmed dead, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a series of suspected suicide bomb explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Borno State Command, ASP Nahum Daso Kenneth, disclosed in a statement issued in Maiduguri that normalcy has been restored across the city, albeit under heightened security alert.
The coordinated attacks, which occurred on Monday, targeted three busy locations — the Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover area.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosions were carried out by suspected suicide bombers, suggesting a resurgence of urban terror tactics associated with Boko Haram and its splinter groups.
The police said calm has since returned to the affected areas following swift intervention by joint security operatives.
According to the statement, a combined team of police tactical units, the military, and other security agencies was deployed to the scenes shortly after the blasts. The areas were cordoned off, while personnel of the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit conducted sweep operations to eliminate further threats.
The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, who visited the affected locations for an on-the-spot assessment, commiserated with victims and their families and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Emergency responders, including officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), evacuated the injured to various medical facilities where they are currently receiving treatment.
Authorities added that normal activities have resumed in Maiduguri, with increased security presence and surveillance across the city to prevent further attacks.
The Nation reports that Maiduguri has been at the epicentre of a decade-long insurgency led by Boko Haram and later the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), with the city witnessing some of the deadliest suicide bombings at the peak of the conflict between 2012 and 2015.
Although sustained military operations in recent years have significantly degraded the capacity of insurgents to carry out large-scale attacks within the city, sporadic incidents and attempted infiltrations have continued to pose security threats, particularly around soft targets such as markets, hospitals, and public transit.
Security experts say Monday’s coordinated explosions bear the hallmark of earlier insurgent strategies aimed at creating panic, undermining public confidence, and demonstrating continued relevance despite territorial losses.
The latest attack comes amid ongoing efforts by the military and the Borno State Government to stabilize the state, resettle displaced populations, and restore socio-economic activities in affected communities.
The police said investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice, while urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements.
Despite the tragic loss of lives, the police with other security authorities commended residents for their resilience and cooperation, reiterating their resolve to maintain peace and security in the state.
