The military raises concerns that terrorists may have deployed multiple suicide bombers into Borno State capital with intention of carrying out coordinated suicide bombings at crowded locations.
This follows Monday night’s triple suicide explosions that claimed 23 lives.
A statement by Media Information Officer of the headquarters of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant-Colonel Sani Uba however says security forces have intensified surveillance, patrols and counter-IED measures across metropolis to track down any remaining suspects and prevent further attacks.
Meanwhile, the police have confirmed that 23 people were killed and 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in triple suicide bomb explosions in Borno State capital including at Maiduguri Monday Market, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, and Post Office Flyover area.
Victims were promptly evacuated by emergency responders, including National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and Borno State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, to medical facilities where they are currently receiving treatment.
The police also say normalcy has been fully restored in affected areas as joint security operatives heighten security presence and surveillance across Maiduguri and its environs to prevent any further occurrences with residents to promptly report any suspicious movements or objects hy contacting these numbers: 08068075581, 08023473293.
Below are statements issued by the military and police after triple bomb explosions in Borno State capital:
PRESS RELEASE
MULTIPLE SUICIDE BOMB EXPLOSIONS IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS
The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) wishes to inform the general public of suicide bomb explosions that occurred at about 7:05 p.m. on Monday, 16 March 2026, in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC). The explosions were carried out by suspected Boko Haram terrorist suicide bombers who detonated improvised explosive devices at three different locations within the city, namely the Post Office area, Monday Market axis and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) during the period of Iftar (breaking of fast). The cowardly attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt by the terrorists to inflict mass casualties and create panic within the metropolis.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team and other sister security agencies, responded swiftly to the incident and immediately secured and cordoned off the affected locations to prevent further harm. Emergency response teams, including personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other medical service providers, promptly evacuated casualties to the General Hospital, Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Medical teams are currently attending to injured victims at various health facilities across the city, while emergency responders continue rescue and evacuation efforts at the affected locations.
Preliminary information further indicates that the terrorists may have deployed multiple suicide bombers into Maiduguri with the intention of carrying out coordinated suicide bombings at crowded locations. Security forces have therefore intensified surveillance, patrols and counter-IED measures across the metropolis to track down any remaining suspects and prevent further attacks.
Members of the public are therefore urged to remain calm but vigilant, avoid crowded areas where possible and promptly report any suspicious persons, unattended items or unusual activities to the nearest security agency. Operation HADIN KAI commiserates with the families of the victims and assures the public that troops and all security agencies remain fully committed to safeguarding lives and property while relentlessly pursuing terrorist elements responsible for these heinous acts.
SANI UBA
Lieutenant Colonel
Media Information Officer
Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI
16 March, 2026
BORNO STATE POLICE COMMAND
PRESS RELEASE
RE: TRIPLE IED EXPLOSION IN MAIDUGURI, NORMALCY RESTORED, SECURITY HEIGHTENED
Following the devastating suspected suicide IED explosions that occurred at about 1924HRS on 16th March, 2026, at (1.) Maiduguri Monday Market, (2.) University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) gate, and (3.) Post Office Flyover area, Maiduguri.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers. Regrettably, a total of twenty three (23) persons lost their lives, while one hundred and eight (108) others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Following the incidents, a combined team of Police Tactical Units, the Military, and other Joint Security Operatives were swiftly deployed to the affected areas. The scenes were immediately secured, cordoned off, and subjected to thorough sweep operations by Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit Base 13 Maiduguri to rule out the presence of any additional threats.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, psc, visited the affected locations to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and to evaluate ongoing response efforts. He commiserated with victims and their families, while assuring the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Victims were promptly evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to medical facilities where they are currently receiving treatment.
Borno State Police Command wishes to state that normalcy has been fully restored in the affected areas. Meanwhile, joint security operatives have heightened security presence and surveillance across Maiduguri and its environs to prevent any further occurrences.
Investigations are ongoing to further ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incidents and to bring perpetrators to justice.
The Borno State Police Command urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or objects to the nearest security agency.
Emergency contact numbers: 08068075581, 08023473293.
The Command appreciates the cooperation and resilience of residents and reassures all of its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the State.
ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, ANIPR, FCAI
Police Public Relations Officer
Borno State Command
16th March, 2026.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
