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, according to police in the north-eastern state.
The sites, which are among the city's busiest locations, had drawn large crowds after the day's Ramadan fast had been broken.
Nigeria's military has blamed the attack on militants from the notorious Boko Haram group, which originated in Maiduguri and previously made the city the epicenter of its insurgency since it began in 2009.
Despite a relatively stable period due to military efforts, residents are shaken by this resurgence of violence. "Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers," said Borno police, announcing an ongoing investigation.
Witnesses described the chaos during the explosions, with one resident recalling the panic and attempts to flee as blasts rocked the area. President Bola Tinubu condemned these attacks, labeling them as acts of desperation by terrorist groups. He has directed security forces to take control of the situation in Maiduguri.
The attacks come after recent violence had diminished, but officials warn that threats remain as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have stepped up their operations again. Security agencies are now working to reinforce safety across the city in response to this tragedy.
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, according to police in the north-eastern state.
The sites, which are among the city's busiest locations, had drawn large crowds after the day's Ramadan fast had been broken.
Nigeria's military has blamed the attack on militants from the notorious Boko Haram group, which originated in Maiduguri and previously made the city the epicenter of its insurgency since it began in 2009.
Despite a relatively stable period due to military efforts, residents are shaken by this resurgence of violence. "Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers," said Borno police, announcing an ongoing investigation.
Witnesses described the chaos during the explosions, with one resident recalling the panic and attempts to flee as blasts rocked the area. President Bola Tinubu condemned these attacks, labeling them as acts of desperation by terrorist groups. He has directed security forces to take control of the situation in Maiduguri.
The attacks come after recent violence had diminished, but officials warn that threats remain as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have stepped up their operations again. Security agencies are now working to reinforce safety across the city in response to this tragedy.
