Some survivors of Monday night’s bomb blasts in Maiduguri, Borno State, recounted their ordeals yesterday, describing the multiple explosions as reminiscent of a war situation.
The accounts came on a day President Bola Tinubu ordered service chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation, reports Vanguard.
This is even as the Nigerian Police Force declared yesterday that the blasts killed no fewer than 23 persons, with 108 sustaining various degrees of injuries, some critically. But witnesses put the death toll at over 40.
While Northern governors and the lawmaker representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, asked for federal government action to address the security situation in the country, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, warned that the resurgence of terrorism could erode public confidence in the government and called for an urgent review of security strategies.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, while condemning the blasts, flayed the President for choosing to travel to the United Kingdom to exchange pleasantries with King Charles while Nigerians mourned.
Survivors recount ordeals
Speaking from his bed at Umaru Shehu Hospital, Maiduguri, yesterday, one of the victims, Abacha Mustapha, who sustained injuries as a result of the blast, said he was preparing to leave the market after the day’s activities when the explosion occurred.
“We broke our fast and were about to leave after closing our shops when the first bomb detonated. I heard a loud sound and suddenly my neck started bleeding,” he said.
According to him, the impact of the blast threw people into confusion as traders and residents scampered for safety.
“It was chaotic. People were running in different directions. Some fell, others were shouting. I couldn’t even understand what had happened at first,” he added.
Mustapha said his brother, who was with him at the time, quickly came to his aid and helped save his life.
He said: “My brother used his cloth to tie my neck to stop the bleeding before rushing me to the hospital. If not for him, I don’t know what would have happened.”
Another survivor, Mohammed Jubril, said he could not explain how he survived the blasts as it happened very close to where he had gone to make payment for items he bought hours earlier.
‘’The blast deafened me immediately as I could no longer hear anything. People were running in different directions. The whole place was covered in smoke and I saw many people lying on the floor with injuries. As I speak with you, I cannot hear anything,’’ he said.
Hauwa Sanusi, who claimed her younger sister had been missing since the blasts, appealed to all concerned to help locate her sister.
She said, almost in tears: “ I don’t know what has become of my sister. She’s been missing since yesterday (Monday). We have visited some hospitals and couldn’t find her. We are in pain, please help us.”
Another survivor and a bricklayer at Umaru Shehu UltraModern Hospital, Bulumkutu, who sustained injuries on his legs and right hand, expressed worry over how his family could get food to eat, being the only bread-winner of the family.
“I am a father of five children, though I have to thank God for sparing my life, I am a bit worried over who will put food on the table for the children as my wife is jobless, and here I am on admission,” he cried.
Victims call for blood donation
At the State Specialist Hospital, Nura Bukar, who sustained a minor injury on his forehead, but was hospitalised due to heavy bleeding and needed blood transfusion, called on good Samaritans to visit the hospital and donate blood, saying there were many victims in critical condition who needed immediate blood transfusion to save their lives.
More so, a victim in the female ward of Umaru Shehu Ultramodern Hospital, Maiduguri, Aisha Mallum Gana, said she was preparing to leave the market after the day’s activities when the explosion occurred.
“I sell soft drinks at the Post Office area, I was about to close for the day when the blast occurred. Thank God that I sustained minor injuries on my face and my legs. I am seriously responding to treatment,” she narrated.
The Chief Medica Director of UMTH, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, said 25 people were confirmed dead, while over 70 were currently responding to treatment in the hospital.
However, though witnesses said over 40 persons were killed by the blasts, Borno State police command said 23 people lost their lives, while 108 were injured in the suicide bomb blasts that rocked Post Office area, Monday Market and the main entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH.
“More than 40 civilians, including the suicide bombers, were killed, as some of the injured ones died while receiving treatment at medical facilities within the metropolis,’’ a witness said.
Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, in a press statement yesterday, said: “Following the devastating suspected suicide IED explosions that occurred at about 1924HRS on March 16, 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, 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 command appreciates the cooperation and resilience of residents and reassures all of its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the State.’’
Northern governors, Senator Ndume condemn attack, call for urgent action
Reacting to the development, The chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum and governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, aside from condemning the deadly explosions, also described the attacks as heinous, barbaric and a direct assault on innocent lives.
In a statement by the Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House, Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, Gombe State governor, on behalf of Northern governors, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, extending his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Borno State, particularly families who lost their loved ones.
“This senseless act of violence is not only reprehensible but a cruel attempt to instill fear and disrupt the fragile peace being restored in the North-East. It is an attack on our collective humanity and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” the governor stated.
He restated the commitment of the Northern governors to continue working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies to confront and defeat all forms of terrorism and criminality threatening the peace and stability of the region.’’
On his part, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, described the attack as barbaric, inhumane, and a direct assault on innocent citizens, particularly in a densely populated area such as Monday Market and UMTH.
Ndume, who is currently in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and reiterated his commitment to advocating improved security measures across Borno State and the nation at large.
The lawmaker sympathised with the governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, the bereaved families, those injured in the attack, as well as the management of Monday Market and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, where victims are receiving treatment.
“I cannot begin to imagine the pain and burden on our governor at this moment. This is a deeply heartbreaking situation for him and for all of us. May Allah grant us comfort, strength, and healing,” Senator Ndume stated.
Maiduguri blasts signal resurgence of terrorism, erosion of public trust — Atiku
In his reaction yesterday, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, said: “I am very sad at the latest terrorist attacks in Borno State and the resurfacing of suicide bombing that were hitherto defeated. “The resurgence of terrorism is capable of eroding public confidence in the ability of the government to protect its own citizens.”
Raising concerns over the broader security situation, Atiku said “the increased waves of killing of soldiers and civilians by terrorists is reviving sad memories of 2014 when Boko Haram was most active in the country.”
Commending the military, he added: “While I commend the sacrifices of our service men in the conduct of unconventional warfare, the Tinubu administration should review its strategies.”
He also criticised the government’s response to insecurity, noting that “Nigerians are not impressed with the government’s statements condemning terrorist attacks. They are more concerned about results. Results speak louder than the tough government’s rhetoric.
“The Tinubu government appears to be more obsessed with crushing opposition politicians than it is with fixing the worsening security challenges. And it is obvious that despite the marching orders, the terrorists are still on the offensive.”
Atiku, who cautioned against politicising security concerns, said further: “Terrorists don’t know the difference between APC supporters and opposition sympathisers and it’s, therefore, unhelpful to dismiss honest advice as politically motivated.
“A government that is too heavily invested in the 2027 re-election campaign is unlikely to accept the reality of insecurity and attack those who dare talk about the gaps.”
