Many feared dead as twin bomb blasts rock Maiduguri

Several people sustained injuries on Monday evening after explosions struck parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, triggering panic among residents and prompting a swift emergency response from security agencies.

According to Zagazola Makama, one of the blasts occurred at the city’s main market shortly after the breaking of the Ramadan fast (iftar) at about 7:00 p.m., while another explosion was reported at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Footage circulating online showed injured victims being rushed to medical facilities, some transported in tricycles. Several victims were seen sitting on hospital floors awaiting treatment, with visible bloodstains on their bodies and clothing.

Authorities have not yet released an official casualty figure.

In a statement posted Monday night on X (formerly Twitter), Borno State Police Command spokesperson, Nahum Daso, confirmed the explosions and said security personnel had been deployed to affected locations.

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“Following reports of suspected explosions at Maiduguri Monday Market and the UMTH gate at about 7:20 p.m., joint security operatives and emergency responders have been deployed,” he stated.

He added that the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit from Base 13 Maiduguri was on the ground to manage the situation and urged residents to stay calm and avoid the affected areas while investigations were ongoing.

Providing a later update, Daso said the EOD team had commenced clearance operations at multiple locations, including the market, the hospital entrance and the post office flyover — all reported blast sites.

“Normalcy has been restored. Residents of Maiduguri are advised to remain calm and maintain vigilance,” he said in a subsequent post around 9:44 p.m.

The Federal Fire Service also confirmed the incident. Mohammed Kafaran, the agency’s head of operations in Borno State, said personnel had been dispatched to assess the situation at the scene.

“Yes, there was a bomb explosion at the Monday Market area around Elkanemi. We have deployed our team there to assess the situation. We will get back to you shortly,” he said.

Maiduguri, located in Nigeria’s conflict-affected northeast, has experienced repeated attacks over the years due to insurgent activities in the Lake Chad region. Monday’s explosions come during the holy month of Ramadan, when markets are typically crowded at dusk.

Security agencies have urged residents to remain vigilant as investigations continue to determine the cause of the blasts and whether they were coordinated attacks.

Further updates are expected as authorities complete damage assessments and gather more information on casualties and perpetrators.