Deadly Attacks in Maiduguri
At least 23 people have died and 108 others were injured in a series of suspected suicide bombings in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria's Borno state. The attacks represent one of the deadliest recent incidents in the city.
The bombings targeted a post office, a popular weekly market, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. These locations were struck within minutes of each other at approximately 19:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Monday, according to police officials in the north-eastern state.
These sites are among the busiest in Maiduguri and had attracted large crowds following the breaking of the day's Ramadan fast.
Responsibility and Background
Nigeria's military has attributed the attacks to militants from Boko Haram, the Islamist extremist group notorious for its insurgency in the region. Boko Haram originated in Maiduguri, which became the epicenter of the group's violent campaign starting in 2009.
Despite the city's history of violence, Maiduguri had experienced a relatively stable period in recent years after intensified military operations pushed armed groups into more remote border areas.
Authorities have indicated that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers. A statement from Borno police said, "Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers," and confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify the attackers.
Eyewitness Accounts
Modu Bukar, a local resident who witnessed the market explosion and assisted victims to the hospital, described the scene to the AFP news agency:
"We were sitting when we suddenly heard a loud explosion. Everyone immediately started running in fear. As we ran, people kept shouting that we should keep going."
Mala Mohammed, 31, also recounted the events to AFP, explaining the chaos near the post office:
"People ran toward the post office area because the market entrance and the post office are not far apart. Unfortunately, as they were running towards the post office, the person who had the explosive device ran into the crowd while people were still trying to escape."
Government Response
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks in a statement released on Tuesday. He described the bombings as "profoundly upsetting" and the "desperate acts of the evil-minded terrorist groups."
The president further stated that he has instructed security chiefs to deploy to Maiduguri and "take charge of the situation."
Security Situation and Recent Clashes
Just hours before the bombings, security forces repelled an overnight assault by suspected Islamist militants on a military post located in the Ajilari Cross area on the outskirts of Maiduguri.
The scale and location of Monday's attacks, deep within the city, have unsettled residents who had cautiously hoped that the most severe phase of Boko Haram's insurgency was over.
Although violence has decreased since its peak around 2015, militants from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) have recently intensified attacks in north-eastern Nigeria.
Officials have warned that the risk of further violence persists, even as emergency responders and security agencies work to enhance safety measures throughout Maiduguri.
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