Several major bomb blasts took place in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno State, on Monday evening. At least 23 people have lost their lives and more than 108 have been injured in these attacks. According to the local police, these were serial suicide attacks which were carried out at three different places. The injured were immediately admitted to nearby hospitals where the condition of many people remains critical.
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At which places did the blasts occur?
According to officials, the attackers targeted crowded areas of the city. The police’s bomb disposal team (explosives clearance teams) has reached the spot and is working to secure the area. Information about the three main places where the blasts took place is given below:
University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH): A big explosion occurred near the main gate of the hospital.
Post Office Market: The attackers also detonated a bomb in this busy market area.
Monday Market: This is another major market in the city where the blast took place.
What is the status of relief and rescue operations?
Borno Police spokesperson ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso confirmed 23 deaths and 108 injuries. He said that the security forces are completely controlling the situation. Meanwhile, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) official Sirajo Abdullahi said that rescue teams are busy taking the injured to the hospital and the final figure of deaths may change.
A situation of medical emergency has arisen due to the sudden arrival of so many injured people in hospitals. An appeal has been made to local people and volunteers to donate blood so that the lives of seriously injured people can be saved. This attack has happened at a time when the administration had issued a security alert a few days ago regarding the upcoming Eid al-Fitr festival.
Who is behind the attack?
So far no terrorist group has officially claimed responsibility for these blasts. However, security agencies and experts believe that Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) may be behind this.
Just before these blasts, on Monday itself, security forces had foiled a major terrorist attack in Ajilari Cross on the outskirts of the city. Borno Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has strongly condemned the attack and appealed to the general public to maintain peace. He has asked people to immediately inform the police about any suspicious activity.