The Nigerian Army has confirmed a series of bomb explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday evening.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Sani Uba, the spokesperson for the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, said the explosions occurred at about 7:05 p.m. in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council during the Iftar period.
Mr Uba, a lieutenant colonel, said the explosions were carried out by suspected Boko Haram terrorist suicide bombers who detonated improvised explosive devices at three busy locations within the city — the Post Office area, the Monday Market axis and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
“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 army said troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and other security agencies, responded swiftly by securing and cordoning 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, he said.
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He 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 Army said that 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.”
The army 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 expressed condolences to families of the victims and reassured the public of its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while relentlessly pursuing terrorist elements responsible for the attacks.
