At least 23 people have been killed and 108 injured by a series of suspected suicide bombings in Maiduguri, marking one of the worst recent attacks on the capital of Borno state.
A post office, a popular weekly market, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital were hit within minutes of each other at around 19:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Monday, police in the north-eastern state say.
The sites, which are among the city's busiest locations, had drawn large crowds after the day's Ramadan fast was broken.
Nigeria's military has blamed the attack on militants from the notorious Boko Haram group, which originated in Maiduguri and has been responsible for significant violence since its insurgency began in 2009.
Surprisingly, the state capital had been enjoying a relatively stable period, following intensified military operations that had driven armed groups into remote border areas. However, preliminary investigations suggest that the recent incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers, according to Borno police who have initiated an inquiry to identify the attackers.
Residents recall the moments before and after the blasts with fear and confusion. Modu Bukar, a witness, described the chaos: We were sitting when we suddenly heard a loud explosion. Everyone immediately started running in fear.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks, calling them profoundly upsetting and ordering security chiefs to take control of the situation in Maiduguri. Similarly, the scale and location of Monday's attacks - deep within the city - have shaken residents who had started to believe the worst years of Boko Haram's insurgency were behind them.
As violence continues to resurface, officials warn of ongoing threats, even as emergency and security agencies work to reinforce safety across the region.
A post office, a popular weekly market, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital were hit within minutes of each other at around 19:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Monday, police in the north-eastern state say.
The sites, which are among the city's busiest locations, had drawn large crowds after the day's Ramadan fast was broken.
Nigeria's military has blamed the attack on militants from the notorious Boko Haram group, which originated in Maiduguri and has been responsible for significant violence since its insurgency began in 2009.
Surprisingly, the state capital had been enjoying a relatively stable period, following intensified military operations that had driven armed groups into remote border areas. However, preliminary investigations suggest that the recent incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers, according to Borno police who have initiated an inquiry to identify the attackers.
Residents recall the moments before and after the blasts with fear and confusion. Modu Bukar, a witness, described the chaos: We were sitting when we suddenly heard a loud explosion. Everyone immediately started running in fear.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks, calling them profoundly upsetting and ordering security chiefs to take control of the situation in Maiduguri. Similarly, the scale and location of Monday's attacks - deep within the city - have shaken residents who had started to believe the worst years of Boko Haram's insurgency were behind them.
As violence continues to resurface, officials warn of ongoing threats, even as emergency and security agencies work to reinforce safety across the region.
