Suicide bombings in Nigeria kill 23 people and wound more than 100 others in Maiduguri attacks
The Associated Press reported that one of the deadliest attacks on Maiduguri in recent history involved explosions in crowded areas on Monday evening, including a bomb explosion. The main market in the capital Borno State and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital entrance.
Borno police spokesman Nahum Kenneth Dassu said in a statement that the injured “suffer varying degrees of injuries” and blamed the attacks on suspected suicide bombers.
President Bola Tinubu, who left Nigeria on Tuesday on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, offered his condolences to the victims and instructed security chiefs to “take charge of the situation” in Maiduguri.
A general view of an armored police car at a market in Maiduguri on March 17, 2026, a day after explosions in the city. Coordinated bombings carried out by suicide bombers rocked a crowded market and other areas in the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 100 others, in one of the worst recent attacks on the capital of Borno state. Three explosions exploded on the evening of 16 March 2026, just after people broke their fast in the Muslim-majority city, hitting a main market, the entrance to Maiduguri’s largest teaching hospital and a post office. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
“Monday’s attacks were desperate acts by evil-minded people Terrorist groups“Our brave military and civilian forces will reduce and suppress them,” Tinubu said.
While no group has claimed responsibility, the Associated Press reports that suspicions fall on the jihadist group Boko Haram, which launched an insurgency in northeastern Nigeria in 2009 to impose its extreme interpretation of Islamic law.
Since it began its insurgency, Boko Haram has grown in strength, with thousands of fighters and multiple factions, some allied with the Islamic State.
Nigeria’s First Lady says US strikes were a ‘blessing’ and welcomes cooperation with Trump
Funeral for Boko Haram victims in Yobe, Nigeria (Stringer/Reuters)
The explosions began on Monday evening, around 7:30 pm, at the entrance to the teaching hospital. A few minutes later, a second and third explosion occurred at Monday Market and a nearby postal center, both about 2.5 miles from the hospital.
Caleb Yona who survived Explosion at the hospital entranceHe told the Associated Press that he suffered injuries to his legs and hands.
“I was coming to the hospital to examine a patient when I saw two men fighting with security men at the gate,” Jonah said. “Before I could comprehend what was happening, I heard a deafening explosion and lost consciousness.”
Nigerian soldiers drive around in pickup trucks during training at a military base in Borno State, Nigeria, on July 5, 2025. (Joris Bolomi/AFP via Getty Images)
Brad Brandon, CEO and founder of Across Nigeria, said the attack was personal. His organization is committed to transforming Nigeria and its surrounding areas through Sharing God’s love Through Jesus Christ, according to the group’s website.
“As the CEO and founder of Across Nigeria, these recent attacks in Maiduguri are personal attacks and a stark reminder that devastating violence continues in northern Nigeria,” he said in a statement. “This is a result of extremist Islamic groups being allowed to operate unchecked. The only question is, how many more people need to be killed, before the world wakes up to the genocide that slaughters thousands of Christians every year.”
He added: “We condemn these acts of violence and their perpetrators.” “We also call on the US government to intervene and the media to embrace its role in shedding light on things hidden in the darkness.”
Although Maiduguri has been at the center of deadly violence in Nigeria, it has witnessed relative peace in recent years, even as extremists launch attacks on the countryside.
Monday’s attack occurred less than 24 hours after the Nigerian army repelled attacks by gunmen outside Maiduguri.
Click here to download the FOX NEWS app
By Tuesday morning, tight security measures had been deployed in the affected locations and along main roads.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Post Comment