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 struck within minutes of each other at around 19:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Monday, as reported by police.
These sites, among the city's busiest, had drawn large crowds after the day's Ramadan fast was broken. Nigeria's military has pointed fingers at the notorious Boko Haram group for the attack.
Originally founded in Maiduguri, Boko Haram initiated its violent insurgency in the region in 2009, leading to widespread devastation. However, the city had experienced a relatively stable period following military operations that pushed armed groups into more remote areas.
The Borno police stated that preliminary investigations suggest the use of suicide bombers for the attacks, with efforts underway to identify the attackers. Eyewitness accounts describe the chaos following the market explosion, as people fled in fear, with victims requiring urgent medical attention.
In a statement, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks as 'profoundly upsetting', labeling them as desperate acts carried out by terrorist groups. He has since instructed security chiefs to deploy to Maiduguri and take control of the situation.
The recent violence appears to reflect a resurgence of activity by Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), raising concerns about safety as emergency services work to reinforce security throughout the city.
These sites, among the city's busiest, had drawn large crowds after the day's Ramadan fast was broken. Nigeria's military has pointed fingers at the notorious Boko Haram group for the attack.
Originally founded in Maiduguri, Boko Haram initiated its violent insurgency in the region in 2009, leading to widespread devastation. However, the city had experienced a relatively stable period following military operations that pushed armed groups into more remote areas.
The Borno police stated that preliminary investigations suggest the use of suicide bombers for the attacks, with efforts underway to identify the attackers. Eyewitness accounts describe the chaos following the market explosion, as people fled in fear, with victims requiring urgent medical attention.
In a statement, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks as 'profoundly upsetting', labeling them as desperate acts carried out by terrorist groups. He has since instructed security chiefs to deploy to Maiduguri and take control of the situation.
The recent violence appears to reflect a resurgence of activity by Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), raising concerns about safety as emergency services work to reinforce security throughout the city.
