Security chiefs have relocated to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to take charge of the security situation following Monday night’s coordinated suicide bombings that killed 23 people and injured 108 others.
President Bola Tinubu, who on Tuesday ordered the immediate relocation, described the attacks as “desperate and frantic attempts” by terrorist elements under constant pressure from security forces.
Three suicide bombers detonated explosives almost simultaneously around 7:02 p.m. at the Maiduguri Monday Market, the Post Office Flyover area, and the security post at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
In a statement posted on his official X handle on Tuesday, the President mourned those who lost their lives in the attacks and commended troops for repelling coordinated assaults on military positions in the state.
“I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time,” Tinubu stated.
The President insisted that the attacks were final desperate acts by criminals trying to instil fear as they face mounting pressure from security agencies.
“I want to make it categorically clear that these acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instil and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces and security agencies operating in various theatres,” he said.
Tinubu disclosed that he has directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation.
“I have directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation. I have also directed the emergency agencies to provide proper care for the injured,” the President stated.
He revealed that during a security meeting with leaders of security and intelligence agencies last weekend, he approved additional equipment and operational support to enhance their capabilities.
“Just last weekend, during a security meeting with leaders of security and intelligence agencies, I approved additional equipment and operational support to enhance their capabilities. This effort is already in progress,” Tinubu disclosed.
The President commended the courage of troops who successfully repelled the coordinated attacks.
“I must commend the courage and fighting spirit of our patriotic troops who successfully repelled the coordinated attacks by these terrorists on military positions in the state,” he said.
Tinubu also vowed that Nigeria would continue to intensify efforts against criminal elements wherever they may be.
“There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them. Nigeria will not succumb to fear,” the President declared.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the casualty figures on Tuesday, with its spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, stating that preliminary investigations revealed the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
“Regrettably, a total of 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Daso said in a statement.
He added that a combined team of Police Tactical Units, the Military, and other joint security operatives was swiftly deployed to the affected areas.
“The scenes were immediately secured, cordoned off, and subjected to thorough sweep operations by Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Base 13 Maiduguri to rule out the presence of any additional threats,” the statement read.
The state Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmaji, visited the affected locations to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and commiserated with victims and their families.
According to the Borno Police Command, victims were promptly evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency, to medical facilities including the General Hospital, Specialist Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Monday night’s attacks come amid renewed insurgent activities in Borno State, with terrorists targeting military formations and civilian areas. The incidents occurred during the holy month of Ramadan, when Monday Market, one of the busiest commercial hubs in Maiduguri, attracts large crowds breaking their fast.
The attacks came barely two weeks after fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province carried out coordinated assaults in the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area, where they reportedly killed several soldiers, the village head, and other community elders, including a woman.
Borno State has been the epicentre of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgency, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions since 2009.
On Thursday, March 12, Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Service Chiefs, Intelligence Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, where he approved new equipment for the armed forces to enhance counter-terrorism operations.
Defence Minister Musa had told State House correspondents after the meeting that the President approved the equipment to enable security agencies to better protect Nigerians.
He sympathised with victims receiving treatment in various hospitals and prayed for their speedy recovery.
The PUNCH