Maiduguri: At least 23 dead, over a hundred injured after suicide bombings

At least 23 people were killed and over 100 others injured in Maiduguri on Monday night following multiple suspected suicide bombings, police confirmed.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed sorrow over the attacks, mourning the dead, sympathizing with the injured, and standing in solidarity with the people of Borno State.

He described the attacks as “final, desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instil and spread fear,” noting that they are under constant pressure from Nigeria’s armed forces and security agencies.

He commended the courage of the nation’s troops, highlighting their success in repelling coordinated attacks on military positions in the state.

He emphasized that the Monday attacks were “desperate acts of the evil-minded terrorist groups” and assured that military and civilian task forces will curtail and put them down.

President Tinubu also noted that during a recent security meeting with leaders of security and intelligence agencies, he approved additional equipment and operational support to enhance their capabilities, a process that is already underway. He directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation and ordered emergency agencies to provide proper care for the injured.

Authorities deployed explosives’ clearance teams to three locations following the suspected suicide bomb events, responding to multiple blasts that struck the city. The attacks caused widespread panic, injuries, and significant damage across Maiduguri, a city that has been repeatedly targeted by insurgent groups in recent years.

The president reiterated that “there is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety,” stressing the government’s commitment to locating, confronting, and defeating them. He affirmed that Nigeria will not succumb to fear in the face of these attacks.

The recent bombings in Maiduguri highlight the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s northeast, where terrorist groups continue to threaten civilians and military personnel despite intensified efforts by security agencies.