Dare Babalola
The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that 23 individuals lost their lives, while 108 others sustained injuries in a series of suspected suicide bombings that shook Maiduguri on Monday evening.
On Monday, residents of Maiduguri were thrown into panic in the evening following multiple explosions across parts of the city.
The explosions, believed to be triggered by improvised explosive devices linked to Boko Haram fighters, occurred around 7 p.m. Monday, shortly after Muslims ended their Ramadan fast.
In a public update on Tuesday, the command spokesperson, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, explained that preliminary findings revealed that suspected suicide bombers carried out the attack across multiple locations in the state capital, including the Maiduguri Monday Market, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) gate, and Post Office Flyover area, Maiduguri.
According to the update, the attack occurred at about 1924 hours on Monday, which is also a time when Muslim residents will be breaking their fast during Ramadan.
The statement reads, “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.
“Following the incidents, a combined team of Police Tactical Units, the Military, and other Joint Security Operatives were 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, visited the affected locations to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and evaluate ongoing response efforts.
According to the statement, CP Abdulmajid commiserated with victims and their families, and also assured the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Victims were promptly evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to medical facilities where they are currently receiving treatment.
The Command stated that normalcy has been fully restored in the affected areas as joint security operatives have heightened security presence and surveillance across Maiduguri and its environs to prevent any further occurrences.
The Command reiterates its commitment to investigating the circumstances and bringing those responsible to justice.
