Suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers struck three locations in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday evening, detonating improvised explosive devices during the Iftar period when residents were breaking their Ramadan fast, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has confirmed.
The blasts, which occurred around 7:05 p.m. on March 16, 2026, targeted the Post Office area, Monday Market, and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital — all busy public spaces at the time of the attacks. The Joint Task Force (North East), operating under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), described the strikes as deliberate attempts to inflict mass casualties and sow panic across the metropolitan area.
Casualties have yet to be officially confirmed, though emergency response teams were deployed immediately. Personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency mobilised to the blast sites, transporting victims to the General Hospital, Specialist Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Security forces, including Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, quickly cordoned off the affected areas to prevent further harm. Military authorities say surveillance operations have since been intensified, with additional patrols and counter-IED measures now active across the city as efforts to track potential suspects continue.
OPHK spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, who confirmed the incident in an official statement, urged residents to remain calm, avoid crowded places, and report any suspicious activity to security agencies without delay.
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