The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that 23 people were killed and 108 others injured following multiple explosions in Maiduguri, in what authorities described as coordinated suicide attacks.
The incidents occurred around 7:24 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026, targeting crowded and strategic locations, including the Maiduguri Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover Maiduguri.
Police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso said preliminary investigations indicate that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Following the explosions, a joint team of police tactical units, military personnel and other security operatives was deployed to the affected areas. The locations were immediately secured and cordoned off, while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit conducted sweep operations to ensure no additional threats remained.
Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), evacuated victims to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, visited the scenes to assess the situation and commiserate with victims and their families, assuring residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
Authorities said normalcy has been restored in the affected areas, while security has been intensified across Maiduguri to prevent further attacks. Investigations are ongoing to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice, with residents urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
