Fatimah Otunsanya
The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm over the possible deployment of multiple suicide bombers into Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, urging residents to avoid crowded places.
The alarm follows a suicide bombing incident which occurred on Monday evening, where 23 people lost their lives, and 108 people sustained injuries
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, 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 explosive 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 attentionm
“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 incident marks the latest among a series of attacks perpetrated by terrorists in the state.
In December 2025, suicide bombers detonated a bomb at Al-adum mosque in Gamboru market, Maiduguri, killing five people and injuring 35 others.
