Suicide bombers suspected to be affiliated with Boko Haram detonated explosives at three crowded locations on Monday evening in Maiduguri- Borno State, killing an unknown number and wounding many others as Muslims gathered to break their Ramadan fast, the military said.
The attacks occurred around 7:05 p.m. at the post office area, the Monday Market district and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, according to a statement from the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai.
The blasts targeted areas teeming with people observing iftar, the daily meal marking the end of the daytime fast.
Troops from Operation Hadin Kai, alongside police bomb disposal teams and other security units, quickly sealed off the sites.
Emergency responders from the National Emergency Management Agency and local hospitals evacuated the injured to facilities including the General Hospital, Specialist Hospital and the university teaching hospital, where medical teams continue treatment.
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Preliminary reports suggest multiple bombers infiltrated Maiduguri for coordinated strikes, prompting heightened patrols, surveillance and anti-explosive measures citywide.
No immediate casualty figures were released, but the military described the assaults as a bid to maximize deaths and sow panic.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm but vigilant, avoid crowded areas where possible and promptly report any suspicious persons, unattended items or unusual activities,” said Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the task force’s media officer, in the statement.
The military expressed condolences to victims’ families and vowed to pursue those responsible. Boko Haram, which has waged an insurgency in the region for more than a decade, has frequently targeted civilian gatherings during Ramadan.
