Several explosions hit Maiduguri, a city in northeastern Nigeria, on Monday evening. The city is the capital of Borno State, an area that has faced many years of violence from armed groups. According to officials and locals, the explosions may have resulted in the deaths of some individuals, while many others sustained injuries.
Online videos showcased injured individuals receiving treatment at a hospital. Some had serious wounds and torn clothes. However, reports said it could not confirm if the videos were real. The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, said the attacks caused deaths and injuries. He strongly condemned the violence and described it as cruel and inhumane. He did not provide details about who carried out the attacks.
Reports said the first explosion happened near a post office in the city center. Soon after, another blast took place at the busy Monday market nearby. Later, two more explosions were reported at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and in the Kaleri area of the city. Some residents said they saw dead bodies at the market after the blast. Currently, the exact number of people killed or injured is still unknown.
Nahum Daso Kenneth, the police spokesman, swiftly dispatched security forces and emergency workers to the affected areas to manage the situation. He asked people to remain calm and not panic during this time. He also advised residents to stay away from the affected locations so that officials can safely check and control the situation.
Earlier on the same day, the Nigerian military reported that it had successfully stopped several attacks on the outskirts of Maiduguri. These attacks were believed to have been carried out by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province. In recent times, these groups have increased the number of attacks in the region, which has raised concerns about safety and security.
