Police confirm 23 killed, 108 injured in Maiduguri bomb blasts

The Police Command in Borno State has confirmed that 23 persons were killed and 108 others injured following multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday evening.

The command said the attacks, believed to have been carried out by suspected suicide bombers, occurred at about 7:24 p.m.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the police spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said preliminary investigations indicated that the explosions were triggered by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

He said the incidents took place at the Maiduguri Central Market, popularly known as Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover area of the city.

According to him, a combined team of police tactical units, military personnel and other joint security operatives was immediately deployed to the affected locations.

Mr Daso said the scenes were secured and cordoned off, while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit conducted sweep operations to ensure that no additional threats remained.

He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Naziru Abdulmajid, visited the scenes for an on-the-spot assessment and commiserated with victims and their families.

The spokesperson said victims were evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, to medical facilities for treatment.

He assured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, noting that normalcy had been restored in the affected areas.

Mr Daso added that security had been reinforced across the metropolis to prevent further incidents.

He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious movements or objects to security agencies.

The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state.