Suicide Bombing Hits Borno State, Nigeria, 23 Dead

The Nigerian Army has raised fresh concerns over the possible deployment of multiple suicide bombers into Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid crowded places.

The warning follows a deadly suicide bombing incident on Monday evening, March 16, 2026  that claimed the lives of 23 people and left 108 others injured, heightening fears of renewed coordinated attacks within the metropolis.

In a statement issued on Tuesday March 17, 2026, the Media Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Taskforce, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sanni Uba, disclosed that the attacks specifically targeted crowded public areas. According to him, the intention of the terrorists was to inflict mass casualties and create widespread panic among residents.

He identified three major locations affected by the explosions as the Post Office area, the Monday Market axis, and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The statement reads, “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, according to the statement, were carried out by suspected Boko Haram terrorist suicide bombers who detonated the explosives during the period of Iftar, when many Muslims were gathered to break their fast.

“The cowardly attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt by the terrorists to inflict mass casualties and create panic within the metropolis” he said.

Security forces responded swiftly to the incident. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team and other security agencies, immediately secured and cordoned off the affected areas to prevent further damage and casualties.

“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 attentionm”

Uba further revealed that preliminary intelligence suggests the attackers may have deployed multiple suicide bombers into Maiduguri as part of a coordinated plan to strike several crowded 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,” Sanni assured.

He added that medical teams are currently attending to the injured victims across various health facilities in the city, while emergency responders continue rescue and evacuation operations at the affected sites.

The spokesperson urged residents to remain calm but alert, advising them to “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,” the statement concluded.

The latest incident adds to a growing list of terrorist attacks in Borno State. In December 2025, suicide bombers detonated an explosive device at the Al-adum mosque in Gamboru market, Maiduguri, killing five people and injuring 35 others.

In a related development, terrorists also launched an attack on Ajilari Cross in Maiduguri in the early hours of Monday. The attackers reportedly stormed the area around 12:35 a.m., firing sporadically before security operatives were mobilised to the scene.

Combined security operatives, including troops from the land and air components of Operation Hadin Kai, the Police, and the Civilian Joint Task Force, quickly responded and repelled the assault.

The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident, stating that the attack was successfully foiled.

“Yes, there was a suspected terrorist attack in Ajilari. As of this time, I can confirm that the attack has been foiled by combined security operatives, including the police, military, hunters, Civilian Joint Task Force, and Civil Defence,” Daso said.

When asked if there were casualties, he said, “For now, we are yet to get any information regarding that.”

He also urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.

Residents confirmed that calm had returned to the area following the attack. One resident, Sani Kidda, noted that “everywhere is calm now, and the tension has reduced,” while calling for sustained security presence to reassure the public.

Earlier in March, terrorists attacked Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, where they burnt down a military base, killed several civilians, and abducted over 300 residents.

Less than 48 hours after that attack, a group identified as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad claimed responsibility and threatened to extend its operations to Maiduguri and Abuja.

“In the name of Allah, the most merciful and most beneficial.

“We, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, under the leadership of Imam Abu Umaima, thank God Almighty for helping us succeed in our mission in Ngoshe. Today, we are inside the central mosque in Ngoshe.

“People in this town are saying that we cannot conquer Ngoshe. With the help of God, we have already conquered the town.

“We are not going to stop only in Ngoshe. We will attack Maiduguri and proceed to Abuja,” he stated.

Source: punchng