Police anti-bomb operative at the scene of the blast at the Monday Market Maiduguri.
The explosions occurred simultaneously at the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), the Monday Market Roundabout and the Post Office.
The incident happened 15 hours after terrorists had attacked military locations at Ajari, Baga and Damboa.
“We broke our fast, and were about to leave the market after closing our shops when the first bomb detonated. I heard a loud sound and just saw my neck bleeding.
“It was my brother that used his cloth to tied my neck and brought me to the hospital,” said one of the victims, Abacha Mustapha, from his hospital bed.
A witness, Umar Bolori, told our correspondent that the terrorists sneaked in the IEDs to the Monday market using tricycles.
“We saw how the IED was detonated from a tricycle, while the other one detonated close to the security vehicle where commuters were trying to board the N50 metro buses,” he said.
Security sources said the Boko Haram terrorists planted some of the Improvised Explosives Device (IEDs) in parts of the ancient town, while others were detonated by female suicide bombers.
The casualty figure could not be immediately ascertained, but a staffer of the Nigerian Red Cross, Babagana Isa, told our corespondent that five people had so far been reported dead.
“I can confirm that five people were pronounced dead at the specialist hospital, and we were told that some bodies were discovered at the Monday market,” he said.
Amateur videos posted on various social media platforms showed different scenes of the attacks.
Health and humanitarian workers were also scene struggling to take away corpses and the injured to hospitals.
Insurgents have surrounded Maiduguri – Residents
Many residents described the waves of attacks taking place on the outskirts of Maiduguri that include Dalwa (20km from the state capital), Ajilari (2km), Dalori (15km), Jakana (40km), Konduga (37km)and Kawuri (50km) as an indication that the insurgents had surrounded the town.
Aliyu Saidu said: “My wife was crying and praying that God should not allow her to witness a repeat of her past experience with the insurgents.”
Another resident of Gomari, Bashir Yusuf, said: “The whole air was being taken over by gunshots and explosions. But Alhamdullillah, the situation is calm and prayers have begun.”
The spokesperson of Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, confirmed the incident saying the security operatives are on top of the situation.
“Following reports of an attack by suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists around Ajilari Cross – Kofa area of Maiduguri. Joint Security operatives have been mobilised to the scene and efforts are ongoing to assess the situation and restore normalcy.
“Members of the public are advised to remain calm, avoid the affected area and cooperate with security agencies as further updates will be communicated in due course.
Emergency contacts: 0806 807 5581, 0802 347 3293,” said Nahum.
In the past one month, Boko Haram insurgents have continued to demonstrate the ability to attack military bases and strategic civilian locations in Borno State.
These attacks, according to local and security analysts, have solidified the insurgents’ control over some territories that the military had taken over from them in the past.
Many sources revealed that the pattern of attacks was an indication of a long term plan by the terrorists to infiltrate the capital city of Borno, Maiduguri.
One of the sources said: “It’s expected that residents of Maiduguri should take the terrorist threat seriously and cooperate with security forces. Also, high-profile operations must be conducted by the military to prevent terrorists infiltration.”
Within a month, the insurgents have attacked military bases in Konduga, Jakana, Marte, Kawuri, Mainok, Dalori, Merari, Dalwa, Ngoshe and other surroundings close to Maiduguri.
Also, in a video circulating online, a group of five insurgents, under the leadership of Imam Ubu Umaima, had claimed responsibility for the attack on the military base in Ngoshe and promised to extend the same to Maiduguri and up to Abuja.
There are speculations that the waves of attacks by the terrorists are a response to high-profile operations being carried out by Nigerian troops in several terrorist enclaves.
A top civilian JTF commander said the insurgents had listed 25 communities they planned to attack.
“Although, with the help of the military, we were able to repel some of the attacks, they overpowered us in some places, killed our men and carted away unquantifiable ammunition,” he said.
He said the large cache of ammunition that the insurgents stole from the troops armory had emboldened them to prepare for more attacks.
“Surprisingly, they rolled out the locations to attack recently and they are executing them simultaneously. Among them is the airport.
“On that list, they also threatened to attack Banki, Kumshe, Daruljimal, Katafila, Dikwa, Gajibo, Sagame, Cameroon, Gidan Bulok, Kukawa, Kuros, Diffa (Niger Republic), Malam fatori and Gubio. They are doing it boldly,” he said.
Zulum condemns blast, calls for calm, vigilance
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has condemned the explosions.
Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, described the attack as despicable, cruel, and cowardly.
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,” he said.
He added, “The recent surge in attacks is not unconnected with intense military operations in the Sambisa forest and other hideouts of the insurgents”.
The governor assured people of the state that the military and other security agencies are on top of the situation.
He called on residents to remain calm, go about their usual activities, and report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies.
Last month, the insurgents attacked the military base but it was repelled by the gallant troops under the command of the late Lt-Col Umar Faruq, and many terrorists were killed.
His brave response was commended by the community, which earned the Commanding Officer an accolade that was celebrated on social media.
In a video which circulated online, the lawmaker representing Kukawa LGA in the Borno State House of Assembly, Karta Maina Ma’aji Lawan, was seen celebrating the victory with troops.
Also, on 1st March, 2026, another commanding officer, Major Umar Ibrahim Mairiga, was killed when Boko Haram terrorists attacked his base in Mayenti, Bama local government area of the state.
“The unit commander, Major UI Mairiga, gave the terrorists a good fight but he was overpowered after some of his soldiers fled into the bush.
“He died a brave soldier, he killed many of them before being overpowered. When I arrived as reinforcements, we recovered RPG, Anti-aircraft, PKT and saw many corpses of the Boko Haram terrorists.
“I believe, if not that some of his men fled, he would have repelled the terrorists attack successfully,” one of the security sources said.
He said the Major was deployed to the forward operations base not more than four months ago after he got a special promotion.
This attack comes weeks after several soldiers were killed in an attack on another military base in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, where the terrorists burnt armoured tanks and military vehicles and carted away unquantifiable ammunition.
On March 6th, the Commanding Officer of 222 Battalion Konduga, Lt Col SI Iliyasu was killed along with some soldiers during an attack by Boko Haram terrorists in Konduga.
Other personnel attached to the 21 Special Armour Brigade were killed during the ambush, including a Lieutenant.
On 28 January, Boko Haram attacked a military formation in Damasak and killed seven soldiers including the commanding officer, a major, during an ambush near Damasak, Borno State.
The terrorists ambushed them while on patrol, with reports indicating the officer was captured before being executed alongside other personnel.
On 20th October, 2025, the Nigerian Army confirmed the death of Lt. -Col Aliyu Saidu Paiko, the commanding officer of 202 battalion and other soldiers during encounters with Boko Haram terrorists in Bama LGA of Borno State.
Army spokeswoman, Lt.-Col Appolonia Anele, also said the operatives attached to 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Operation HADIN KAI, resisted the terrorists on October 17, at Kashimri general area of Bama local government council of Borno State.
Last Wednesday, fourteen soldiers were killed during a coordinated attack on a military base in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA, a senior military officer was killed and almost 300 people abducted.
Sources confirmed that the terrorists are still living in Ngoshe town, while hundreds of the residents fled, and are now taking refuge in Pulka, an adjoining town to the attacked town.
Yesterday, the Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Dalwa, a Community about 20km to Maiduguri, in the Konduga Local Government Area.
Our correspondent gathered that the assailants succeeded in dislodging the residents and razed down the community, which was resettled recently by the Borno State Government.
This came shortly after the simultaneous attacks on four military bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana, and Marte town between 10 pm on Thursday night and 3 am on Friday.
Boko Haram never left Maiduguri – Dr Getso
A security expert, Dr. Yahuza Getso, said the recent bomb attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State, do not necessarily signal a resurgence of Boko Haram, insisting that the insurgents “never really left.”
Getso, who is the Managing Director of Eagles Integrated Security and Logistics Company Limited, said the attacks highlighted deeper systemic problems in Nigeria’s security architecture, including corruption, lack of accountability and weak justice systems.
Speaking on the latest bombings in Maiduguri, he said the focus should not be on whether Boko Haram has returned, but on why the insurgency has persisted despite huge resources spent on security.
“The question is not about resurgence. The question is: where did they go? They didn’t go anywhere. They are still there,” he said.
He noted that the country must critically examine issues such as recruitment into the security services, transparency in the use of security funds, and the sincerity of strategies deployed to tackle insurgency.
According to him, attacks may persist if the root causes of insecurity, including corruption, injustice and socio-economic inequality, are not addressed.
“There will be more bombings and more attacks if justice does not prevail and if we continue to politicise security challenges,” he said.
Getso also questioned how trillions of naira reportedly spent on security over the years had translated into tangible results, stressing that Nigerians expect clear outcomes.
He added that insurgents constitute a very small fraction of the population and should not be able to overwhelm the country if security institutions function effectively.
The expert further warned that rising unemployment and social inequality could make more youths vulnerable to recruitment by insurgent groups if urgent reforms are not implemented. Daily Trust