Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has strongly condemned the explosions that happened in several parts of the city on Monday evening.
Zulum, who is now in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, called the incident nasty, harsh, and cowardly, targeting innocent people during the holy month of Ramadan.
Dauda Iliya, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, issued a statement calling for more vigilance and security measures, particularly in places of worship, as the Christmas season approaches.
“I am deeply saddened by the explosions that occurred in parts of the metropolis on Monday evening.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families and the injured.” The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric, and inhumane,” said Zulum.
He added, “The recent surge in attacks is not unconnected to intense military operations in the Sambisa forest and other hideouts of the insurgents.
The governor, therefore, assured people of the state that the military and other security agencies are on top of the situation, as adequate measures have been taken to forestall any security breach in Maiduguri and the entire state.
Chronicle NG reports that bomb explosions near Monday Market in Maiduguri, Borno State, and a security post at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital resulted in the deaths of an unspecified number of people.
Our correspondent reported that the explosions went off at 7:02 p.m. on Monday.
Mohammed Kafaran, Head of Operations for the Federal Fire Service in Borno State, confirmed the occurrence to our correspondent and stated that the agency has sent a team 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 revealed 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 spoke on the condition of 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.
Eyewitnesses revealed 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 0100 hrs, joint security operatives thwarted a suspected terrorist attack in Damboa LGA. Normalcy has been restored, and more details are underway.”
