23 Killed, Over 100 Injured as Multiple Explosions Rock Maiduguri, Police Suspect Suicide Bombers

At least 23 people have been confirmed dead and more than 100 others injured following multiple explosions in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, according to Nigerian police and emergency officials. 

The blasts occurred on Monday at different locations in the city, including the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and two busy markets known locally as Post Office Market and Monday Market. Security agencies said explosives experts were immediately deployed to the affected areas after reports of suspected suicide attacks.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the updated casualty figures on Tuesday, stating that emergency responders are still treating dozens of injured victims at medical facilities across the city.

Police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso said preliminary findings indicate that the explosions were likely carried out by suicide bombers.

According to him, 23 people lost their lives while over 100 others sustained injuries of varying severity.

No armed group has officially claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, authorities say the incident comes amid renewed violence in northeastern Nigeria, where insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have recently intensified assaults on military positions and civilian communities.

Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the bombings, describing them as cruel and inhumane. He suggested the recent spike in attacks may be linked to ongoing military operations in the Sambisa Forest, a known hideout for insurgent fighters.

Security personnel and emergency teams were deployed across the city following the explosions, while residents were advised to stay calm and avoid the affected areas until investigations are completed.

Witnesses said many victims were taken to hospital in critical condition. Volunteers assisting rescue efforts reported that several people died at the scene, while others later died while receiving treatment. Medical workers also appealed for blood donations to help treat the injured.

Maiduguri, once heavily affected by insurgent violence during the peak of the conflict in the mid-2010s, had seen relative calm in recent years. However, security analysts say the latest attacks suggest armed groups remain capable of carrying out deadly operations in the region.

The Nigerian military recently confirmed coordinated attacks on several bases in the northeast, while international partners, including the United States, have continued to provide training and technical support to Nigerian forces fighting insurgency in the region.