ARMY RAISES ALARM OVER MULTIPLE SUICIDE BOMBERS IN BORNO

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

The Nigerian Army has issued a warning about the potential deployment of multiple suicide bombers in Maiduguri by suspected Boko Haram militants, urging residents to avoid crowded areas.

The alert comes after a suicide bombing on Monday evening that claimed 23 lives and left 108 others injured.

In a statement Tuesday, Lt Col Sanni Uba, Media Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Taskforce Operation Hadin Kai, said the attacks targeted densely populated public spaces in an effort to cause mass casualties and spread panic across the city.

He confirmed that three locations were affected: the Post Office area, the Monday Market axis, and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

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 approximately 7:05 p.m. on Monday, 16 March 2026, in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).”

According to the statement, the blasts were carried out by suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers who detonated explosives during Iftar, the breaking of the fast.

“The cowardly attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt to inflict mass casualties and spread panic across the metropolis,” the statement added.

The statement added that troops from Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team and other security agencies, responded quickly to the incident, securing and cordoning off the affected areas to prevent further harm.

“Emergency response teams, including personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other medical service providers, quickly evacuated casualties to the General Hospital, Specialist Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for urgent treatment.

“Preliminary reports suggest that the terrorists may have deployed multiple suicide bombers in Maiduguri with plans to carry out coordinated attacks at crowded locations. Security forces have therefore intensified surveillance, patrols, and counter-IED operations across the city to track any remaining suspects and prevent further incidents,” Sanni assured.

He added that medical teams continue to treat injured victims at various health facilities, while emergency responders maintain rescue and evacuation efforts at the affected sites.

The spokesperson urged residents to stay calm but vigilant, advising them to avoid crowded areas where possible and to promptly report any suspicious persons, unattended items, or unusual activities to the nearest security agency.

“Operation HADIN KAI extends its condolences to the families of the victims and assures the public that troops and all security agencies remain fully committed to protecting lives and property while relentlessly pursuing the terrorists responsible for these heinous acts,” the statement concluded.

The attack represents the latest in a series of terrorist incidents in Borno State.

In December 2025, suicide bombers struck the Al-Adum Mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, killing five people and injuring 35 others.