Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, was plunged into fear and confusion on Monday night after a series of explosions struck key parts of the city, leaving at least many people feared dead in what residents believe to be a coordinated हमला.
The incidents occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on March 16, 2026, with explosions reported around the busy El-Kanemi Monday Market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), and the Post Office axis.
Eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of the aftermath, with loud blasts followed by panic as people scampered for safety.
“We just heard a very loud sound around the market area. Within minutes, everywhere was in chaos,” said Abdul Ahmed, a resident who witnessed the incident.
Another resident, Fadila Abdulrahman, confirmed multiple impact points, stating that “the explosions were not in one place. There was another around the Post Office. It was frightening because it felt coordinated.”
Although no group has officially claimed responsibility, suspicion has fallen on Boko Haram insurgents, who have a history of carrying out deadly attacks in the region.
Security operatives and emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the affected locations, cordoning off the areas and commencing rescue efforts.
Preliminary figures from local emergency sources indicate that the death toll has climbed to 131, with many others injured. Medical facilities, including UMTH, are reportedly under intense pressure as they attend to a surge of casualties.
Authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive statement, but security presence has been reinforced across Maiduguri as investigations continue into the cause of the explosions.
