A wave of coordinated suicide bombings tore through the Borno State capital on Monday night, leaving at least 23 people dead and 108 others injured, police officials confirmed.
The attacks, which occurred nearly simultaneously around 7:24 p.m., targeted high-traffic areas, including the Maiduguri Central Market (also known as the Monday Market), the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover.
The Nigerian Police Force identified the attackers as suspected suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to maximise casualties during the busy evening hours.
ASP Nahum Daso, spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, confirmed the scale of the tragedy during a press briefing.
“The coordinated attacks were allegedly carried out by suspected suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices,” Daso stated. “We have confirmed that 23 persons were killed and 108 others sustained various degrees of injuries.”
Following the blasts, a joint task force of police tactical units and military personnel moved to stabilise the city. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit was also deployed to ensure no unexploded devices remained in the debris.
“A joint team was immediately deployed to the affected sites. The areas were swiftly secured and cordoned off while the EOD Unit conducted sweep operations to rule out further threats,” Daso added.
Commissioner of Police Naziru Abdulmajid visited the blast sites late Monday for an on-the-spot assessment, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and those fighting for their lives in hospitals.
Emergency teams from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) worked through the night to evacuate victims. The injured are currently receiving treatment at various medical facilities across the metropolis.
While the city remains on edge, authorities insist that the immediate threat has been contained.
“Normalcy has been restored in the affected areas, with heightened security across the metropolis to prevent further attacks,” the Command stated.
Officials are urging Maiduguri residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or packages to security agencies immediately as the investigation into the perpetrators continues. #Securitynewsalert.com
