Security chiefs have relocated to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation following coordinated suicide bombings that killed 23 people and injured 108 others, authorities said.
President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate move on Tuesday, describing the attacks as “desperate and frantic attempts” by terrorists under pressure from security forces.
Three suicide bombers detonated explosives at about 7:02 p.m. Monday at the Monday Market, the Post Office flyover and a security post at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, officials said.
“I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathize with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time,” Tinubu said in a statement posted on his X account.
He said the attacks were a sign that terrorist groups were weakening under sustained military operations.
“These acts of terror are the final desperate attempts by criminals trying to instill fear,” he said.
The president said he had directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri and instructed emergency agencies to provide care for the injured. He added that additional equipment and operational support approved during a recent security meeting were already being deployed.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the casualty figures. Police spokesperson Nahum Daso said preliminary investigations indicated the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
“Regrettably, a total of 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Daso said.
He said a joint team of police, military and other security operatives secured the affected areas, while explosives experts conducted sweep operations to prevent further attacks.
Victims were evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency, to medical facilities across the city.
The attacks come amid renewed insurgent activity in Borno, long considered the epicenter of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgency.
The Nigerian Army warned that multiple suicide bombers may have been deployed into the city and urged residents to avoid crowded areas and report suspicious activity.
Troops under Operation Hadin Kai, working with police and other agencies, have intensified patrols and surveillance to track down suspects and prevent further attacks.
The violence has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas described the attacks as “deeply troubling,” while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar warned that the resurgence of terrorism could erode public confidence in the government.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi said the attacks reflected worsening insecurity nationwide, while former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso called them a setback to recent gains against insurgents.
Babagana Zulum condemned the bombings as “cruel and cowardly” and urged residents to remain vigilant.
Authorities said families have begun searching for missing relatives, as some victims were severely injured and difficult to identify.
Residents have been urged to report missing persons to police or community leaders as investigations continue.
