The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has inspected the level of destruction caused by Monday’s ravaging fire.
The minister said the fire was contained and no life was lost.
While speaking with journalists at the incident scene, Keyamo said victims who were hospitalised are now responding to treatment at a health facility in Lagos.
The fire incident scene. Credit: Olasunkanmi Akinlotan
He said the terminal, which was slated for refurbishment, will be pulled down anyway, adding that a temporary terminal from where the few airlines operating from the facility will now operate has reached an advanced stage.
It will be recalled that a ravaging fire disrupted operations at the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday, triggering diversions, compounding travel delays and operational uncertainty across airlines.
The fire incident scene. Credit: Olasunkanmi Akinlotan
It was also gathered that at least six persons were hospitalised after the fire outbreak engulfed Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, forcing the diversion of international flights, damaging airport equipment, and triggering a massive multi-agency emergency response.
The fire incident, which began around 3:00 p.m., was still being battled by firefighters as of 7:00 p.m., with thick smoke billowing from sections of the terminal.
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr, which signifies the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The declaration was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government.
In a statement on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, the minister extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the fasting period.
Tunji-Ojo urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance and sacrifice, which were emphasised during the holy month of Ramadan.
He also called on Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity and prosperity of the country.
While wishing Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, the minister encouraged citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.
The statement added, “The Federal Government remains committed to fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.”
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the multiple suicide bomb explosions that rocked Maiduguri, Borno State, leaving 23 people d3ad and 108 others injured.
The incidents, which occurred at about 7:24 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026 targeted the Maiduguri Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover, Maiduguri.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, in a statement said the attacks were carried out by suspected Boko Haram terrorist su!cide bombers.
According to the statement, preliminary information indicates that the terrorists may have deployed multiple suicide bombers into Maiduguri with the intention of carrying out coordinated su!cide bombings at crowded locations.
The statement further disclosed that security forces have intensified surveillance, patrols and counter-IED measures across the metropolis to track down any remaining suspects and prevent further attacks.
“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 statement read.
“The explosions were carried out by suspected Boko Haram terrorist su!cide 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.”
The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that 23 persons were k!lled and 108 others injured following multiple explosions that rocked Maiduguri, in what authorities described as coordinated su!cide @ttacks.
The incidents which occurred at about 7:24 p.m., on Monday, March 16, 2026, targeted crowded and strategic locations within the metropolis, including the Maiduguri Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover, Maiduguri.
According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, preliminary investigations revealed that the explosions were carried out by suspected su!cide b0mbers using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In response, a combined team of Police Tactical Units, military personnel and other joint security operatives were immediately deployed to the affected areas.
The scenes were swiftly secured and cordoned off, while the Expl0sive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit conducted detailed sweep operations to rule out the presence of additional expl0sive devices.
Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, worked in coordination with medical teams to evacuate victims to hospitals, where they are currently receiving treatment.
“Following the devastating suspected suicide IED explosions that occurred at about 1924HRS on 16th March, 2026, at (1.) Maiduguri Monday Market, (2.) University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) gate, and (3.) Post Office Flyover area, Maiduguri,” the statement read.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected su!cide b0mbers.
“Regrettably, a total of twenty three (23) persons lost their lives, while one hundred and eight (108) others sustained varying degrees of !njuries.
“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, psc, 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.
“The Command appreciates the cooperation and resilience of residents and reassures all of its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the State.”
