At least 23 individuals have lost their lives, and over 100 others have sustained injuries following a series of explosions in Maiduguri, a city in northeastern Nigeria. This information was confirmed by police, who dispatched explosives clearance teams to three different locations after several incidents were identified as “suspected suicide bomb events.”
The updated casualty figures were released on Tuesday, following the blasts that occurred on Monday near the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and at two local markets, known as Post Office and Monday Market. Sirajo Abdullahi, the head of operations at Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Maiduguri, provided these details.
Details of the Incident
According to police spokesman Nahum Kenneth Daso, preliminary investigations suggest that the attacks were executed by suspected suicide bombers. “Regrettably, a total of twenty-three (23) persons lost their lives, while one hundred and eight (108) others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Daso stated.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for these suspected bombings. The attacks in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, occur amidst Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with a multifaceted security crisis involving various armed factions in the northern region of the country.
Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) have conducted numerous assaults on military bases throughout Borno this month, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers and the seizure of military equipment. Earlier, the Nigerian military announced that it had successfully repelled attacks by suspected militants on the outskirts of Maiduguri early on Monday.
Government Response
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the bombings, linking the recent increase in violence to intensified military operations in the Sambisa forest, a known stronghold for armed groups. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric, and inhumane,” Zulum expressed.
In response to the blasts, police spokesperson Nahum Daso Kenneth indicated that security personnel and emergency responders were deployed to the affected areas. “Residents are advised to remain calm and avoid the area while assessments continue,” he added.
Eyewitness Accounts
Bagoni Alkali, an eyewitness to one of the explosions, recounted his experience, stating that he transported injured individuals to the hospital for urgent care. “Right now, over 200 people have been injured and are receiving care in the accident and emergency department,” Alkali reported. “While I could tell you so many people have died, to be honest, many lost their lives at the scene immediately after the bomb exploded. It’s disheartening,” he lamented.
Mohammed Hassan, a member of a volunteer group that often assists security forces in the region, mentioned that he helped evacuate 10 bodies from the markets. “Many victims were rushed to the emergency ward, but some died at the hospital. We’re in dire need of blood,” he stated. “This attack has been one of the deadliest in Maiduguri in years.”
Historical Context
Maiduguri, which previously experienced daily shootings and bombings, had seen a relative decline in violence in recent years, with attacks peaking in the mid-2010s. The last significant attack occurred in 2021 when Boko Haram fighters launched mortar attacks on the city, resulting in 10 fatalities. However, in December, an unclaimed bombing at a mosque in the city claimed at least seven lives.
Violence has persisted in the rural areas surrounding Maiduguri. Last week, the military confirmed “coordinated attacks” on several military bases in the northeast, which resulted in at least 14 deaths, including 10 soldiers, according to local civilian and military sources.
International Involvement
In a related development, last month, the United States began deploying troops to Nigeria to offer technical and training support to the Nigerian military in its fight against armed groups. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that a total of 200 soldiers are expected to participate in this deployment.
AFRICOM also conducted airstrikes in the northern state of Sokoto in December, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. The Nigerian government has expanded its security collaboration with Washington following accusations from former U.S. President Donald Trump that Nigeria was failing to protect Christians. However, authorities have denied claims of systematic persecution against Christians, while independent experts assert that Nigeria’s security challenges affect both Christians and Muslims indiscriminately.
Bildquelle: depositphotos
