Multiple bomb explosions have been recorded in Maiduguri, leaving scores injured.
Newsone Nigeria reports that multiple explosions from suspected suicide bombers rocked the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri Monday evening, police said, on the back of an overnight attack on a military post.
This newspaper understands that the bomb explosions occurred at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and two local markets, known as Post Office and the Monday Market, according to Sirajo Abdullahi, head of operations at Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency, or NEMA, in Maiduguri.
“There are casualties and they are still managing the causalities at the hospital,” Abdullahi said. “We can’t give the actual figure until we count.”
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the suspected bombings.
Bagoni Alkali, an eyewitness to the blast, told The Associated Press he brought wounded people to the hospital for emergency treatment.
“Right now, over 200 people have been injured and are receiving care in the accident and emergency department,” Alkali said.
“While I could tell you so many people have died, to be honest, many lost their lives at the scene immediately after the bomb exploded. It’s disheartening,” he added.
Mohammed Hassan, a member of a volunteer group that often assists the security forces in the conflict against armed extremists, said he evacuated 10 bodies from the Post Office and the Monday Markets.
“Many victims were rushed to the emergency ward, but some died at the hospital. We’re in dire need of blood,” he said. “This attack’s been one of the deadliest in Maiduguri in years.”
According to Borno State Police Command official spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso, the incident was confirmed via a post on his X handle.
The statement said: “Following reports of a suspected explosion at Maiduguri Monday Market and UMTH gate at about 7:20 PM, joint security operatives and emergency responders have been deployed. The Police EOD Unit, Base 13 Maiduguri, is on the ground.
“Residents are advised to remain calm and avoid the area while assessments continue. Further updates will follow shortly. Emergency Contacts: 0806 807 5581, 0802 347 3293.”
Borno’s Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said in a statement Monday he condemned in the strongest terms the explosions.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane,” Zulum said.
The Borno State Governor called on residents to remain calm, go about their usual activities and report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies.
Watch the video of bomb explosions in Maiduguri below…
Scores injured as multiple bomb explosions rock Maiduguri, Borno State pic.twitter.com/fNbInpTmXC
— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) March 16, 2026
Meanwhile, Newsone reports that Nigeria has been battling a complex security crisis from different armed groups, especially in the northern part of the country, for years.
Jihadi extremist groups, including Boko Haram and one of its factions, have been blamed for intensified attacks targeting Nigeria’s military bases in the northeast of the country this month. But attacks in Maiduguri in Borno state, which is the epicenter of Nigeria’s 17-year struggle with extremist armed groups, have been rare in recent years after military operations.
