Army warns of more attackers as suicide bombings kill 23, injure 108 in Maiduguri 

The Nigerian Army has warned residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, of a possible influx of additional suicide bombers following coordinated explosions that left at least 23 people dead and 108 others injured.

The attacks, which occurred on Monday evening, targeted busy locations across the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council during the Ramadan fast-breaking period, triggering panic among residents and raising fresh concerns over a resurgence of insurgent violence in the North-East.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Northeast Joint Taskforce, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, said suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers carried out the attacks at about 7:05 p.m.

According to him, the explosions struck the Post Office area, the popular Monday Market axis, and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Uba said the coordinated nature of the attacks indicated a deliberate attempt to cause maximum casualties and instill fear among the civilian population.

“The attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt to inflict mass casualties and create panic within the metropolis,” he said.

He disclosed that security forces, including troops of Operation Hadin Kai and the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, quickly moved to secure the affected locations and prevent further damage.

Emergency responders, including personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency, evacuated victims to various health facilities, including the General Hospital, State Specialist Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The army spokesman warned that intelligence reports suggested the possibility of more suicide bombers operating within the city.

“Security forces have intensified surveillance, patrols, and counter-IED operations to track down any remaining suspects and avert further attacks,” he said, urging residents to avoid crowded areas and report suspicious activities.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as the explosions occurred almost simultaneously.

“There were bodies on the ground, and many injured people were rushed to hospitals,” a resident said.

Another eyewitness recounted hearing a loud blast near the Post Office area, followed by people fleeing in different directions.

The Head of Operations of the Federal Fire Service in Borno State, Mohammed Kafaran, confirmed that emergency teams were deployed to the scene shortly after the incident to assist in rescue efforts.

The bombings came just hours after suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters attempted coordinated attacks on military formations in Ajilari, Damboa, and Baga in the early hours of Monday.

Security sources said the insurgents launched the assaults at about 12:35 a.m., but were repelled by joint security operatives comprising the military, police, Civilian Joint Task Force, and other allied forces.

The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed that the attacks were successfully foiled, noting that no casualties were recorded among security personnel.

“In a swift response, joint security operatives engaged the insurgents and forced them to retreat,” he said, adding that the attackers were believed to have suffered losses.

Residents in affected communities reported hearing sporadic gunfire and explosions during the attempted incursions, particularly around Ajilari and near a military base in Damboa.

Authorities, however, said normalcy had been restored, with residents confirming that tension had eased across the city.

The latest attacks come amid renewed insurgent activities in the region, including a recent assault in Ngoshe, where terrorists reportedly overran a military base, killed civilians, and abducted scores of residents.

Reacting to the Maiduguri bombings, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, condemned the attacks, describing them as barbaric and inhumane.

In a statement issued through his media aide, the governor, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, expressed sympathy with victims and their families, while calling for heightened vigilance.

“My thoughts are with the families of the victims and those injured. This act is utterly condemnable,” he said.

Also reacting, former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, described the incident as a major setback to the relative peace recorded in Borno in recent years.

He warned that the attacks signalled a worrying resurgence of terrorism and called on authorities to take decisive action.

“Our armed forces must be fully supported to confront these threats and protect innocent citizens,” he said.

A counterterrorism expert, Salaudeen Hashim, said the pattern of attacks suggested a possible retaliatory move by insurgents following recent military offensives against their strongholds.

He noted that the near-simultaneous strikes on both civilian and military targets underscored the continued operational capacity of terrorist groups in the region.

The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation also condemned the attacks, urging the government to strengthen support for security agencies and calling on citizens to provide intelligence that could help curb insurgent activities.

As investigations continue, security agencies have reiterated the need for public vigilance, warning that efforts are ongoing to track down suspected attackers and prevent further violence.