At least 23 people have been killed and 108 injured by a series of suspected suicide bombings in Maiduguri, marking one of the worst recent attacks on the capital of Borno state. A post office, a popular weekly market, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital were hit within minutes of each other at around 19:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Monday, police in the north-eastern state say.
The sites, which are among the city's busiest locations, had drawn large crowds after the day's Ramadan fast was broken. Nigeria's military has blamed the attack on militants from the notorious Boko Haram group, which originated in Maiduguri and had previously made it the epicenter of its insurgency beginning in 2009.
Although the city had experienced relative stability following intensified military operations against armed groups, the recent attacks have raised renewed fears among residents. Borno police stated, 'Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.'
Witnesses described the harrowing scenes during and after the blast, with many fleeing in panic shortly after the explosions. 'We were sitting when we suddenly heard a loud explosion. Everyone immediately started running in fear,' said Modu Bukar, a resident who helped take victims to the hospital.
The violence comes just hours after security forces repelled an attempted assault by suspected Islamist fighters on a military post in the outskirts of Maiduguri, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap). President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks, labeling them as 'profoundly upsetting' and ordered security chiefs to take charge of the situation in Maiduguri. As officials work to enhance security, the threat of further violence looms over the city.
The sites, which are among the city's busiest locations, had drawn large crowds after the day's Ramadan fast was broken. Nigeria's military has blamed the attack on militants from the notorious Boko Haram group, which originated in Maiduguri and had previously made it the epicenter of its insurgency beginning in 2009.
Although the city had experienced relative stability following intensified military operations against armed groups, the recent attacks have raised renewed fears among residents. Borno police stated, 'Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.'
Witnesses described the harrowing scenes during and after the blast, with many fleeing in panic shortly after the explosions. 'We were sitting when we suddenly heard a loud explosion. Everyone immediately started running in fear,' said Modu Bukar, a resident who helped take victims to the hospital.
The violence comes just hours after security forces repelled an attempted assault by suspected Islamist fighters on a military post in the outskirts of Maiduguri, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap). President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks, labeling them as 'profoundly upsetting' and ordered security chiefs to take charge of the situation in Maiduguri. As officials work to enhance security, the threat of further violence looms over the city.
