Explosions rock Maiduguri, several feared dead, .any injured

By Johnson Arua

Several persons are feared dead while others sustained injuries following multiple explosions that rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday evening, triggering panic across parts of the city.

Sources said the blasts occurred between about 6:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., with loud explosions reportedly heard around the Monday Market, Kaleri, Post Office and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) areas.

Residents said the explosions caused widespread fear, forcing many people to flee the affected locations and rush home for safety.

The incident comes less than 24 hours after suspected insurgents reportedly infiltrated the Kofa community on the outskirts of Maiduguri but were repelled by security forces.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in Borno State, ASP Nahum Daso, said preliminary reports indicated that explosions occurred at the Post Office area and the main entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Daso, however, said he had not received any report confirming an explosion at the Monday Market as of the time of filing this report.

“Yes, there were reports of explosions at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital main gate and Post Office area, but the one at Monday Market, I have no information. But I will get back to you as soon as I have it,” he added.

Meanwhile, a media aide to the Borno State Governor, Dauda Iliya, said security and emergency agencies were working to verify the situation, including whether there were casualties from the blasts reported at the market and the hospital area.

He noted that relevant authorities were already on the ground assessing the situation as investigations continue.