In brief
In a devastating attack on March 17, suspected suicide bombers targeted busy locations in Maiduguri, Borno state, killing at least 23 people and injuring over 100. Among the sites attacked were a post office, a popular market, and a hospital, coinciding with the breaking of the Ramadan fast. The military attributes the assault to militants from Boko Haram, who had previously been ousted from urban areas but remain a threat. President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks, emphasizing the government's commitment to restore safety.
At least 23 people have been killed and over 100 injured by a series of suspected suicide bombings in Maiduguri, marking one of the most devastating attacks in the capital of Borno state in recent times.
The bombings occurred at several key locations, including a post office, a weekly market, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, within a few minutes of each other around 19:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Monday. The incidents coincided with the closing of the day’s Ramadan fast, drawing large crowds to these popular sites.
Nigeria's military has attributed the attacks to the notorious Boko Haram group, which originated in Maiduguri and transformed the city into a stronghold of its ongoing insurgency that began in 2009.
Previously, the capital had experienced a period of relative stability as military operations had pushed armed groups into more remote border areas, leading residents to cautiously hope that the worst years of violence were behind them. However, recent events have reignited fears of resurgence.
Following the blasts, Borno police confirmed that preliminary investigations indicated the attacks were conducted by suicide bombers. Security officials are currently investigating to identify the attackers.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos following the explosions. Modu Bukar recounted the moment of the market blast, stating, 'We were sitting when we suddenly heard a loud explosion. Everyone immediately started running in fear.'
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences and condemned the attacks, labeling them as 'profoundly upsetting' and indicative of 'the desperate acts of evil-minded terrorist groups'. He has ordered security chiefs to deploy to Maiduguri and take control of the situation.
The scale and location of Monday's attacks have left residents shaken, with warnings from officials that while immediate responses are in place, the danger of further violence persists, especially with Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) recently ramping up assaults in the region.
