No fewer than 23 people have been confirmed dead, while 108 others sustained injuries following multiple explosions in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Monday evening.
The incidents, suspected to be coordinated suicide improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, occurred at key locations including the Maiduguri Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), and the Post Office Flyover at about 7:24 p.m.
In a statement, the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, said preliminary investigations indicate that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
He said security personnel, including Police Tactical Units, the military, and other joint security operatives, were swiftly deployed to the affected areas to contain the situation.
According to the police, the scenes of the explosions were secured, cordoned off, and subjected to thorough sweep operations by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit.
The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, visited the sites to assess the situation and evaluate the response efforts.
Victims were evacuated to nearby medical facilities by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
The police command said normalcy has since been restored in the affected areas, with heightened security presence and surveillance measures put in place to prevent further incidents.
Authorities added that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible, while urging residents to remain calm, vigilant, and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
