An unspecified number of persons were feared killed, while many others sustained injuries following bomb explosions around Monday Market in Maiduguri, Borno State and near a security post at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, on Monday.
Our correspondent gathered that the bombs detonated simultaneously at about 7.02 pm, hours after suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched simultaneous attacks on three military positions across the state.
Confirming the Monday evening bomb explosion, Head of Operations of the Federal Fire Service in Borno State, Mohammed Kafaran, said the agency had deployed its personnel to the scene.
He said, “Yes, there was a bomb explosion at the Monday Market area around Elkanemi. We have deployed our team there to assess the situation. We will get back to you shortly.”
Eyewitnesses told The PUNCH that many of the injured victims had been evacuated to hospitals for treatment.
“There were dead bodies on the ground, and many persons with wounds have been rushed to the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri,” one witness said.
Another resident, who demanded anonymity, recounted the moment the explosion occurred.
“I had just left the post office and was on my way when I heard a loud sound,” the resident said.
As of the time of filing this report, emergency responders had moved to the scene of the bomb explosion for rescue and assessment operations.
The bomb explosion came after suspected Boko Haram terrorists in the early hours of Monday launched a simultaneous attack on three military positions across the state.
Our correspondent gathered that the terrorists targeted the military outposts in Ajilari, Damboa, and Baga at exactly 12:35 am before security reinforcement repelled the attacks.
On the Ajilari attack, residents who spoke to The PUNCH confirmed sporadic shooting and a suspected bomb blast, which caused smoke in the atmosphere.
The spokesperson of the state police command, ASP Nahum Daso, who confirmed the attack to The PUNCH, said, “Combined security operatives, including troops from the land and air components of Operation Hadin Kai, the Police, and the Civilian Joint Task Force, repelled the attack.
“Yes, there was a suspected terrorist attack in Ajilari. As at this time, I can confirm that the attack has been foiled by combined security operatives, including police, military, hunters, civilian joint taskforce, and civil defence.”
In a statement after the attacks, the spokesperson said there were no casualties on the part of security operatives.
The statement read, “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 BH/ISWAP terrorists at Ajilari Cross, Kofa area of outskirt Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Damboa -Maiduguri road, Damboa Local Government Area.
“The incidents occurred on 16th March 2026 at about 0000hrs in Ajilari Cross, Kofa and 0100hrs along the Damboa–Maiduguri road axis in Damboa LGA, when suspected terrorists attempted to infiltrate the areas.”
He continued, “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.”
He said the insurgents were believed to have suffered casualties and injuries, though the exact figures are yet to be confirmed.
He, however, called on members of the public to remain calm and desist from sharing unverified information.
Residents also confirmed that the atmosphere is currently calm.
A resident of Maiduguri, Sani Kidda, told The PUNCH, “Everywhere is calm now, and the tension has reduced.”
On the Damboa attack, our correspondent gathered that the terrorists launched a major attack on the 25 Task Force Brigade, a military camp in the local government.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attack started less than 30 minutes after the suspected Boko Haram ISWAP terrorists attacked Ajilari Cross.
Confirming the Damboa attack in a brief statement on Monday, the spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, did not specify the actual location in the local government, but said the attack was thwarted at 1 am on Monday.
He wrote, “In another separate incident, at about 0100HRS, joint security operatives thwarted a suspected terrorist attack in Damboa LGA. Normalcy has been restored, and more details are underway.”
However, details of the attack were sketchy at the time of filing this report, but residents confirmed sporadic shooting near a military base in the LGA.
A resident, who did not want to be identified, told our correspondent that the terrorist made an attempt to infiltrate the town through the 25 Task Force Brigade before they were denied access with heavy resistance.
The source said, “It was a horrible night. When we heard that terrorists were attempting to infiltrate the military camp. The news quickly spread. Thank God for the effort of our gallant troops.”
The attacks took place simultaneously with the one in Baga, where sources said the terrorists engaged troops at the Baga military base.
When contacted for comments, the Media Information Officer, Joint Taskforce, Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sanni Uba, neither picked up nor returned the call.
The attacks are coming two weeks after terrorists stormed and burned down a military base in Ngoshe, killing civilians and abducting over 300 residents.
Less than 48 hours after the attack, a group, identified as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, claimed responsibility for the attack, vowing to extend the terror activities to Maiduguri and Abuja, the nation’s capital.
In a one-minute, thirty-second video obtained by our correspondent, the group, comprising five men, said they were determined to claim the territory and rename it.
Speaking in Hausa on behalf of the group, one of them claimed that men and women were beheaded as a result of the attack.
He said, “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 Ubu Umaima, thank God Almighty for helping us to 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.”
Zulum condemns explosions
Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, condemned the explosion that occurred in some parts of the metropolis on Monday evening.
Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, described the attack as despicable, cruel, and cowardly, targeting innocent people in the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, called for increased vigilance and heightened security measures, particularly in places of worship, as the festive period beckons.
“I am deeply saddened by the explosions that occurred in parts of the metropolis on Monday evening.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric, and inhumane,” said Zulum.
The governor noted that the recent surge in attacks was not unconnected with intense military operations in the Sambisa forest and other hideouts of the insurgents.
He assured people of the state that the military and other security agencies were on top of the situation, as adequate measures had been taken to forestall any security breach in Maiduguri and the entire state.
He called on residents to remain calm, go about their usual activities, and report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies.
Meanwhile, in an interview with our correspondent, a Counterterrorism Consultant, Salaudeen Hashim, said the attacks are likely to be a response to recent military operations that eliminated some insurgent commanders.
He said, “These attacks appear to have been carefully planned and may also be retaliatory, possibly in response to recent military operations that eliminated some insurgent commanders.
“What is particularly worrying is that they reveal several troubling patterns. First, the assaults were carried out almost simultaneously in multiple locations, targeting both civilian communities and military formations. Second, they suggest that insurgent groups still retain a level of operational capability despite years of counter-insurgency efforts.”
Salaudeen added that the incidents exposed persistent security vulnerabilities in remote communities along the Sambisa–Lake Chad corridor.
“Nigerians should be concerned. The recent pattern of attacks suggests that insurgent groups still retain the ability to move and operate across parts of the North-East.
“Their focus on military formations also indicates a deliberate attempt to weaken security infrastructure, while many rural communities remain vulnerable to these assaults,” he said.
In the same vein, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation condemned the recent surge in attacks by insurgents on military formations and personnel across parts of Northern Nigeria.
The foundation described the attacks as “cowardly assaults” capable of undermining national security and threatening the stability of the country.
In a statement on Monday in Kaduna, the Director-General of the Foundation, Abubakar Umar, expressed deep concern over the renewed violence attributed to Boko Haram and other militant groups.
Umar said the increasing attacks on military bases and troops who are on the frontlines of the counter-insurgency war were disturbing and required urgent national attention.
He said, “The foundation views with grave concern and strong condemnation the recent surge in attacks by Boko Haram and other militant groups across parts of Northern Nigeria.”
According to him, the assaults have increasingly targeted officers and soldiers who are risking their lives daily to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and protect innocent citizens.
“Our gallant troops continue to make enormous sacrifices in safeguarding the nation and defending communities against insurgent threats,” Umar said.
The foundation said it stood in solidarity with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies currently battling insurgency and terrorism across the country.
Umar noted that acts of terrorism not only endanger lives but also undermine national unity and the country’s collective progress.
“These acts of terrorism threaten national security, undermine stability, and endanger the collective well-being of our people,” the statement said.
The foundation called on Nigerians to rally around the military and security agencies in their efforts to combat insurgency and restore peace.
It also urged citizens to provide both moral and material support to troops, especially during the ongoing holy month.
Umar said improved logistical support, funding, and welfare provisions were essential to strengthen the operational capacity of the military.
“Enhanced logistical, financial, and welfare provisions are essential to bolster the capacity of our troops to decisively defeat insurgency and restore lasting peace,” he said.
The foundation also condemned the activities of informants, saboteurs, and collaborators who aid terrorist groups in carrying out attacks.
It urged communities to cooperate fully with security agencies by providing credible intelligence that would help curb insurgent activities.
“Such treacherous actions betray our nation and must be rejected by all patriotic citizens,” Umar said.
He added that the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation remained committed to initiatives that promote peace, education, youth development, and sustainable progress in Northern Nigeria and across the country.
