One of the victims of Monday night’s explosion in Maiduguri, Borno State, Abacha Mustapha, has recounted the terrifying moment the blast went off, leaving him seriously injured.
Speaking with DailyTrust from his hospital bed on Tuesday at Umaru Shehu Hospital, Mustapha said he was preparing to leave the market after the day’s activities when the explosion occurred.
“We broke our fast and were about to leave after closing our shops when the first bomb detonated. I heard a loud sound, and suddenly my neck started bleeding,” he said.
The blast threw people into chaos as traders and residents scrambled for safety.
“It was chaotic. People were running in different directions. Some fell, others were shouting. I couldn’t even understand what had happened at first,” he added.
Mustapha said his brother, who was with him at the time, quickly came to his aid.
“My brother used his cloth to tie my neck to stop the bleeding before rushing me to the hospital. If not for him, I don’t know what would have happened,” he said.
Medical personnel at the hospital confirmed that several victims were brought in with varying injuries, including shrapnel wounds and burns.
Eyewitnesses said the blast struck at a busy time when traders were closing for the day, and residents were returning home after breaking their fast.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army raised the alarm over the possible deployment of multiple suicide bombers in Maiduguri, urging residents to avoid crowded places.
Monday’s coordinated attacks reportedly killed 23 people and injured 108 others.
Media Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, said the attacks targeted crowded public areas to inflict mass casualties and create panic, identifying the affected locations as the Post Office area, Monday Market axis, and the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident, noting that security operatives immediately secured the scenes.
“The scenes were immediately secured, cordoned off, and subjected to thorough sweep operations by Police Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Unit Base 13 Maiduguri to rule out the presence of any additional threats,” said the Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso.
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 18-year-old Saihanu Ahmad in connection with an armed robbery at a Federal Polytechnic Bauchi students’ off-campus lodge.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Bauchi by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafi’u Habib.
The statement indicated that the incident occurred on April 5, 2026, when two armed suspects stormed the lodge, and made away with several phones and a laptop.
According to Habib, four students reported to ‘E’ Division Yalwa on April 5, 2026, that two armed suspects stormed their lodge and stole the items.
The items reported stolen include an iPhone 14 Pro Max (black), iPhone 13 Pro (sky blue), Redmi A3 [verify] (black), Tecno Spark 40 (white), Samsung A23 [verify] (black), Samsung A23 Plus [verify] (black), Tecno Pop 10 [verify] (silver), iPhone 15 Pro Max (dark blue), and a Samsung laptop (dark blue).
The spokesman stated that the police recovered one of the stolen phones, a Redmi A3 from the suspect.
He said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case and track down the accomplice.
“CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu has commended the efforts of the detectives involved in the case and urged the public to continue providing information to help combat crime,” part of the statement reads.
The police said they were working to recover the stolen items and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We urge off-campus students to stay alert and report suspicious activities,” Habib said.
The statement appealed to the public to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of the accomplice and the recovery of the stolen items.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing.
“The suspect will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation,” he added.
The command assured the public of its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Habib said the police would intensify patrols and surveillance in the area to prevent similar incidents, urging anyone with information to come forward.
A series of violent attacks disrupted Easter celebrations across northern Nigeria, leaving at least 16 people dead and dozens displaced in Benue, Kaduna, Katsina and Borno states.
The incidents, carried out by suspected armed herders, terrorists and bandits, occurred in separate communities between Saturday and Sunday, prompting renewed concerns over security in the region.
In Benue State, suspected armed herders reportedly invaded Mbalom, Mbatsada and Agana communities in Gwer East Local Government Area, killing at least 10 residents and injuring several others.
The attackers were said to have stormed the communities on Saturday evening, which coincided with a market day in Mbalom, causing residents to flee for safety.
The Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Timothy Adi, confirmed the attack.
“The invasion and attacks happened yesterday (Saturday) between 5pm and 6pm. Nine corpses have so far been recovered, two yesterday (Saturday) and seven today (Sunday),” he said.
Adi lamented that the attack was unprovoked and appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts to curb the activities of armed herders in the state.
Reacting to the incident, Governor Hyacinth Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary Kula Tersoo, condemned the killings, describing them as “a barbaric act and a direct affront to the collective peace and security of the state.”
Five Killed As Terrorists Attack Kaduna Churches
In Kaduna State, suspected terrorists attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area, targeting two Christian worship centres during Easter celebrations.
The attackers reportedly killed five worshippers and abducted 31 others during the assault.
The councillor representing Awon Ward, Mark Bawa, confirmed the incident to Punch and identified the affected churches as First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church.
“I am currently on my way to the community to ascertain the exact number of casualties. Some sources said seven people were killed, while others claimed eight. I will provide an update once details are confirmed,” Bawa said.
He added that the attackers arrived in large numbers and opened fire on worshippers.
“The attackers came in large numbers. They surrounded the area and began shooting sporadically at worshippers. Several people were killed, and many others were taken away into the bush,” he said.
Army Rescues Abducted Worshippers
Troops of the Nigerian Army later rescued the 31 abducted civilians after responding to a distress call.
According to the Army, troops pursued the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle.
“Troops of the Nigerian Army, through a swift response, have successfully foiled a terrorist attack, leading to the rescue of 31 civilians abducted during an Easter church service in Ariko Village,” the Army said in a statement.
The military added that the pressure from advancing troops forced the terrorists to abandon the captives.
“The pressure mounted by the advancing troops forced the terrorists to abandon 31 hostages, including one injured victim who is currently receiving medical attention,” the statement added.
However, the remains of five victims already killed were recovered at the scene.
Policeman Killed In Katsina Bandit Attack
In Katsina State, renewed banditry attacks in Tangani and Sayaya communities of Musawa and Matazu LGAs reportedly claimed the life of a police officer.
Governor Dikko Radda visited the affected community on Sunday to assess the damage.
The attackers were said to have ambushed the local police station, looted several shops and vandalised a primary healthcare centre.
The governor commiserated with residents and the police command, while also directing the deployment of additional security personnel to the area.
Boko Haram Attack Displaces Residents In Borno
Meanwhile, suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Awapul community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State early Sunday morning.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community around 1:30 a.m., firing sporadically and burning houses and shops, forcing residents to flee.
The spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the attack but said no casualties were recorded.
He said, “There was an attack this morning around 1:30 a.m. in Chibok Local Government, in a village called Awapul. The attack was carried out by unknown men suspected to be Boko Haram.
“No casualties. It was a destruction of properties.”
Residents said the attackers operated on motorcycles and remained in the area for over an hour before leaving.
“They burned down houses and small shops. Some owners have gone to Chibok main town to take refuge,” a resident said.
The latest incidents occurred less than 24 hours after separate attacks on an internally displaced persons camp in Damasak and the Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters in Borno, where four police officers and a hunter were killed.
Security forces said the attackers used Rocket-Propelled Grenades and other sophisticated weapons in an attempt to overrun the town but were repelled by security agents.
Authorities have since intensified operations in the affected areas as residents continue to call for a stronger security presence across vulnerable communities.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate following a three-week intelligence-led operation that led to the interception of cocaine consignments hidden in tins of palm kernel extract and the arrest of the cartel’s kingpin.
The agency said the illicit consignments were destined for the United Kingdom, with the syndicate employing sophisticated concealment methods to evade detection.
The breakthrough began on March 11, 2026, when NDLEA officers attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command in Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine at the export shed.
The drugs were carefully concealed inside tins of palm kernel extract prepared for shipment abroad.
According to a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, two suspects linked to the shipment—Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were immediately arrested.
Babafemi said a follow-up sting operation on April 2 led to the arrest of the sender of the consignment, identified as Ezemuwo Joel, who allegedly operated under a false identity, Ajayi.
Investigations from his arrest led operatives to the syndicate’s leader, 52-year-old King Arinze, who was tracked to a hideout in the Isolo area of Lagos.
He was subsequently taken to his warehouse located at 11, Ola Ifa Street, Bucknor, Isolo, where operatives uncovered extensive evidence of drug concealment operations.
Items recovered from the warehouse included 886 tins of palm kernel extract prepared for drug concealment, industrial sealing machines, tin openers, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis sativa, and a pack of hand gloves.
The suspect reportedly confessed to personally draining the oil from the tins to hide cocaine consignments.
In a related operation in Borno State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 28-year-old woman, Aisha Adamu, along the Gamboru Ngala road with 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis. She was suspected to be supplying drugs to bandit groups operating in the North-East and neighbouring Chad.
In Lagos, a pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Sakpo area of Seme border, Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, 45, and his wife, Success Hodonu, 35, were arrested at the Gbaji checkpoint.
A search of their Honda Pilot SUV led to the discovery of 11 kilograms of skunk concealed in hidden compartments.
Their arrest followed the earlier apprehension of a suspected fake security agent, Sunday Samuel, who was caught transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk along the same route.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a trailer conveying 48,000 tramadol pills along Namtari road in Yola South, leading to the arrest of the driver, Abdulaziz Ismail Korede, and the intended recipient, Idris Adamu.
In Osun State, a 60-year-old woman, Idiatu Oladejo, was arrested with 15 kilograms of skunk in Isale Osun, Osogbo.
Operatives also raided the Itaogbolu forest in Akure, Ondo State, recovering 351 kilograms of skunk and its seeds.
In Benue State, 28,600 tramadol capsules were seized from a 66-year-old suspect, Aminu Usman Gembu, at Aliade.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in Egbanke community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, where 1,378 kilograms of skunk were recovered, leading to the arrest of one Roland Owie.
It was reports that in Oyo State, a notorious drug dealer, Ayantola Omodunmomi, also known as “Iya Elle,” was arrested in Ibadan following intelligence reports.
The agency alleged that she used her 11-year-old daughter, Anjola, to distribute illicit drugs to customers.
At the time of her arrest, 45.6 kilograms of skunk were recovered from her residence.
The agency said its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaign continued nationwide, with outreach programmes held in schools across Oyo, Lagos, Kano, Anambra and Zamfara states.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers across various commands for the successful operations.
“These successful operations are a testament to the Agency’s evolving intelligence capabilities and our unwavering commitment to choking the supply lines of drug cartels,” he said.
“Whether they hide behind legitimate businesses, religious titles, or complex concealment methods, we will find them.”
The agency reiterated its commitment to sustaining a balance between reducing drug supply and curbing demand, warning that traffickers would continue to face intensified enforcement actions nationwide.
