Multiple explosions have rocked Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, triggering panic among residents and raising fresh concerns over security in Nigeria’s North-East.
The blasts occurred on Monday evening at several key locations across the city, including the Monday Market, the Post Office area, and near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, according to reports.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as loud explosions were heard almost simultaneously, sending residents fleeing for safety. Emergency responders and volunteers rushed to affected areas to evacuate victims and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
Authorities say many people were feared dead, while several others sustained injuries, although initial casualty figures were unclear at the time of the incident.
Health sources later indicated that hospitals in the city were overwhelmed with victims, with dozens receiving treatment for injuries ranging from burns to shrapnel wounds.
Security officials suspect the attacks may have been carried out using improvised explosive devices, possibly involving coordinated or suicide bombings, although no group has officially claimed responsibility.
The explosions reportedly followed earlier security tensions in the area, including an attempted attack on a military post on the outskirts of the city, suggesting a coordinated escalation in insurgent activity.
Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the attacks, describing them as barbaric, while calling for calm and vigilance among residents. Security forces have since intensified patrols and cordoned off affected areas to prevent further incidents.
The incident highlights the persistent threat of insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, despite years of military operations aimed at restoring stability in the region. Analysts warn that such coordinated attacks signal a possible resurgence of extremist activities in areas that had experienced relative calm in recent times.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine the full extent of the damage and identify those responsible for the attacks.
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