March 17, (THEWILL) — Several persons were killed and many others injured on Monday evening following multiple explosions suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram/ISWAP suicide bombers in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The coordinated blasts, which occurred during the Iftar period, targeted crowded locations across the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, triggering panic among residents and emergency responses from security agencies.
THEWILL gathered that the explosions occurred at key points in the city, including the Post Office area, the popular Monday Market axis, Kaleri and the entrance gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Confirming the incident, the Borno State Police Command said the attacks were believed to have been masterminded by suicide bombers linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Daso, stated that it was difficult to immediately ascertain the number of casualties as rescue and evacuation operations were still ongoing at the time of filing this report.
“It is very difficult to give the actual number of casualties as the rescue mission is ongoing,” Daso said, noting that multiple fatalities and injuries had already been recorded.
In a related statement, the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed that the explosions occurred at about 7:05 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026, and involved suspected suicide bombers detonating improvised explosive devices at different locations within the metropolis.
According to the military, the attacks were deliberately targeted at densely populated civilian areas in an attempt to inflict mass casualties and create widespread panic.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and other security agencies, swiftly responded to the incidents, securing and cordoning off the affected areas to prevent further casualties.
Emergency response teams, including personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other medical services, evacuated victims to various health facilities, including the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the State Specialist Hospital and the General Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Medical personnel across the hospitals were said to be attending to injured victims, while search and rescue operations continued late into the night.
Preliminary findings by security agencies indicate that multiple suicide bombers may have been deployed into the city as part of a coordinated attack strategy targeting high-traffic civilian locations.
Authorities have since intensified surveillance, patrols and counter-improvised explosive device (IED) operations across Maiduguri to track down any remaining suspects and forestall further attacks.
The police urged residents to remain indoors, avoid affected areas and comply with security directives as efforts to stabilise the situation continue.
Residents were also advised to report any suspicious persons or objects to security agencies, with emergency contact numbers provided as 08068075581 and 08023473293.
Operation HADIN KAI commiserated with families of the victims and assured the public of its commitment, alongside other security agencies, to safeguarding lives and property while pursuing those responsible for the attacks.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
