Nigeria military authority has placed the citizens and residents in the West Africa country on a high alert over increased security threats in the country, following apparent multiple suicide bombings on Monday in the Northeastern state of Borno state, wherein, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed 23 people were killed and 108 other persons sustained injuries when bombs exploded almost at the same time at three different locations in Maiduguri, the state capital, at locations which included 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, hours after the Borno State Command of the Nigeria Police Force had reported earlier on Monday that suspected Boko Haram, Iswap terrorists made an attempt to infiltrate into the state capital with sporadic gunshots and explosions at Ajilari Cross, Kofa area of outskirt of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, MMC, and Damboa -Maiduguri road in Damboa Local Government Area, and the latest activities and official reports indicated that the Iswap and Boko Haram terrorists may have advanced and taken some positions closer to the state capital, this, the Nigeria Police Force said, the Borno State Joint Security Operatives has began aggressive patrols within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and appealed to residents to alert the security agency for emergency response with contact numbers: 0-8-0-6-8-0-7-5-5-8-1, or, 0-8-0-2-3-4-7-3-2-9-3.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force in the North East Operation Hadin Kai in a press release on Monday, said; “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 7:05pm 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”.

State owned media, NTA in a news post published on its social media platforms on Tuesday, reported that “the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HaDIN KaI has warned the public especially those across the North East to beware of increased security threat as recent developments indicate an increased threats of suicide bombing attacks by Boko Haram, Iswap terrorist elements during the final days of Ramadan.

A statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HaDIN KaI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba says, the unfortunate incidents recorded in Maiduguri on Monday evening, around Monday Market, Post Office, and the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, leading to casualties further highlight the continued intent of terrorist elements to target densely populated civilian locations in order to create panic and gain propaganda advantage.

It adds, Historical patterns show that terrorist groups often intensify their activities during significant religious periods, particularly around the 27th and 29th days of Ramadan, when places of worship, markets, motor parks, and other public gathering areas experience increased in human traffic.

Accordingly, to forestall repeat occurrences, members of the public across the North East region have been strongly advised to remain security conscious, vigilant, and observant of their surroundings, particularly in crowded locations such as mosques, prayer grounds, markets, shopping areas, bus terminals, hospitals, and major road junctions.

Worshippers attending night prayers, Taraweeh and Tahajjud and other religious gatherings are encouraged to exercise caution and cooperate with security personnel conducting screening and access control procedures.

The public is advised to observe the following precautionary measures: Remain alert to suspicious persons or unusual movement/behaviour, particularly individuals loitering around crowded areas or attempting to avoid security checks. Report unattended bags, parcels, or suspicious objects, immediately to the nearest security personnel.

Avoid overcrowded areas whenever possible and maintain situational awareness when attending places of worship, markets, or public events. Cooperate fully with security agencies during stop-and-search operations, security screening, and other safety procedures.

Parents and guardians are urged to be mindful of the movement of their children, especially during evening hours and night prayers. Community/opinion leaders, religious authorities, market associations, and transport unions are also encouraged to support ongoing security efforts by sensitizing members of their communities and promptly reporting any suspicious activities.

Security agencies across the region have already heightened operational readiness and increased surveillance, patrols, and protective measures around critical locations and population centres. These measures are aimed at preventing further terrorist attacks and ensuring that citizens can observe the remaining days of Ramadan and the forthcoming Eid celebrations in peace and safety.

The statement enjoined the Public that cooperation remains a critical component of counter-terrorism efforts. Timely information from vigilant citizens has helped security forces prevent attacks and apprehend terrorist collaborators. Members of the public are therefore urged to remain calm but vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest security formation or through established emergency channels”.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said; “The recent news from Maiduguri, Borno State, is profoundly upsetting. I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time. 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.

We will continue to intensify our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be. 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. The Monday attacks were desperate acts of the evil-minded terrorist groups. Our gallant military and civilian task forces will curtail and put them down.

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. Additionally, 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. 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 Borno State Command of the Nigeria Police Force stated in a statement that; “following the devastating suspected suicide I.E.D explosions that occurred at about 19:24 Hours on 16th March, 2026, at  Maiduguri Monday Market, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, (UMTH) gate, and Post Office Flyover area, Maiduguri, preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers. Regrettably, a total of twenty three persons lost their lives, while one hundred and eight 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 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”, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the Borno State Police Command Public Relations Officer stated this in a press release on Monday.

In an earlier press release issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of Borno State Command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso said; “following widespread reports of sporadic gunshots and explosions which raised public concern and attracted attention, the Borno State Police Command wishes to clarify that the incidents were a result of attempted infiltrations by suspected Boko Haram, Iswap terrorists at Ajilari Cross, Kofa area of outskirt (of) Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, (MMC) and Damboa-Maiduguri road, Damboa Local Government Area.

The incidents occurred on 16th March 2026 at about 00:00 hours in Ajilari Cross, Kofa (MMC) and 01:00 hours along the Damboa–Maiduguri road axis in Damboa Local Government Area, when suspected terrorists attempted to infiltrate the areas. In a swift and coordinated response, joint security operatives who were already on heightened alert engaged the insurgents and successfully repelled the attacks, forcing the terrorists to retreat. During the operations, no casualties were recorded among security personnel or civilians. However, the insurgents are believed to have suffered casualties and injuries, though the exact figures are yet to be confirmed.

The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, reassures residents of the Command’s continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property and maintaining peace across the state. He further urges members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid spreading unverified information, and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence. Further developments will be communicated as investigations and security operations continue”.