Governor Babagana Zulum has condemned the explosions that occurred in Maiduguri on Monday, as police confirmed that 23 people were killed and 108 injured in the attacks.
The Borno State Police Command said the explosions occurred around 7:24 pm and were carried out by suspected suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices.
Police spokesperson Nahum Daso said the attacks took place at the Maiduguri Central Market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate and the Post Office Flyover area.
According to him, a combined team of police tactical units, military personnel and other security operatives was deployed to the scenes, which were secured and cordoned off while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit carried out sweep operations.
He said victims were evacuated by emergency responders including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency to medical facilities for treatment.
The commissioner of police in the state Naziru Abdulmajid visited the affected areas and commiserated with victims and their families.
Daso said normalcy had been restored in the areas, with security heightened across the city. He urged residents to remain calm and report suspicious movements or objects to security agencies.
Zulum, who is in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, described the incident as cruel and cowardly.
“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 in a statement issued by his media adviser Dauda Iliya.
He said the attacks targeted innocent people during the holy month of Ramadan and called for increased vigilance, especially in places of worship and other public areas.
The governor said the recent surge in attacks might be linked to ongoing military operations against insurgents in Sambisa Forest and other hideouts, adding that security agencies were on top of the situation.
He urged residents to remain calm, go about their lawful activities and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
The attacks followed other recent incidents in and around Maiduguri, including an attack on a military post in Ajilari Cross and another in the Damboa local government area.
Insurgent groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have, in recent times, stepped up attacks in northeastern Nigeria.
