Panic is spreading across Borno State as the Nigerian Army raised an alarm on the deployment of multiple suicide bombers to the state.
This follows a series of devastating blasts that rocked the state capital, Maiduguri.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the army said security agencies are now on high alert after suspected insurgents coordinated a triple-attack on Monday night, leaving at least 23 people dead and over 100 others injured in Maiduguri.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Media Information Officer, Northeast Joint Taskforce Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sanni Uba, said the attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt by the terrorists to inflict mass casualties and create panic within the metropolis.
He said three locations, including the Post Office area, the Monday Market axis, and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), were affected.
The statement reads: “The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) wishes to inform the general public of suicide bomb explosions that occurred at about 7:05 p.m. on Monday, 16 March 2026, in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).:
The explosions, according to the statement, were carried out by suspected Boko Haram terrorist suicide bombers who detonated the explosives during the period of Iftar (breaking of fast).
“The cowardly attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt by the terrorists to inflict mass casualties and create panic within the metropolis,” he said.
The statement added that troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team and other sister security agencies, responded swiftly to the incident and immediately secured and cordoned off the affected locations to prevent further harm.
“Emergency response teams, including personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other medical service providers, promptly evacuated casualties to the General Hospital, Specialist Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention.
“Preliminary information further indicates that the terrorists may have deployed multiple suicide bombers into Maiduguri with the intention of carrying out coordinated suicide bombings at crowded locations. Security forces have therefore intensified surveillance, patrols, and counter-IED measures across the metropolis to track down any remaining suspects and prevent further attacks,” Sanni assured.
He further noted that medical teams are currently attending to injured victims at various health facilities across the city, while emergency responders continue rescue and evacuation efforts at the affected locations.
The spokesperson urged members of the public to remain calm but vigilant, “avoid crowded areas where possible and promptly report any suspicious persons, unattended items or unusual activities to the nearest security agency.”
”Operation HADIN KAI commiserates with the families of the victims and assures the public that troops and all security agencies remain fully committed to safeguarding lives and property while relentlessly pursuing terrorist elements responsible for these heinous acts,” the statement concluded.
The alarm on the deployment of suicide bombers to Borno State also comes after the state police command said 23 persons have been confirmed dead, with 108 injured, following bomb blasts in three locations in Maiduguri.
The bombs, which went off at about 7:24 pm on Monday, hit a main market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover.
In a statement signed by Nahum Daso, its spokesperson, the command said: “preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers”.
“Regrettably, a total of twenty-three (23) persons lost their lives, while one hundred and eight (108) others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the statement reads.
“Following the incidents, a combined team of Police Tactical Units, the Military, and other Joint Security Operatives was swiftly deployed to the affected areas.
“The scenes were immediately secured, cordoned off, and subjected to thorough sweep operations by Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit Base 13 Maiduguri to rule out the presence of any additional threats.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, PSC, visited the affected locations to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and to evaluate ongoing response efforts.
“He commiserated with victims and their families, while assuring the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property.”
