By Lanre Ola, Maiduguri
Explosions rocked two locations in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday evening as residents were breaking their Ramadan fast, triggering widespread panic across the city.
Eyewitnesses said the first blast occurred at the busy former Elkanemi Roundabout near the popular Monday Market within the city’s commercial district at about 6:20 p.m.
Residents who had gathered for Iftar, the evening meal to break the Ramadan fast, said the loud explosion sent people fleeing for safety.
“We were taking our Iftar when we heard a loud sound from an explosion at the Elkanemi Roundabout,” said Garba Mala, a trader who operates near the scene. “Everyone immediately ran for safety. I could not confirm if there were casualties because people were trying to escape.”
Security personnel and emergency responders were seen moving to the scene shortly after the blast.
However, minutes later, another explosion occurred about three kilometres away, near the main gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), heightening fears among residents.
Abubakar Saleh, a tricycle operator who witnessed the second explosion, said the blast involved an improvised explosive device attached to a tricycle.
“An IED-laden tricycle exploded near the main gate of UMTH. The bomber died instantly, and some people around the area sustained injuries,” Saleh told ThisNigeria.
Security sources said the casualty figure could not be immediately verified, although unconfirmed reports suggested that about seven people may have died in the two incidents. Neither the police nor the military had officially confirmed the number of casualties as of press time.
The explosions sparked fresh anxiety in the city, with many residents expressing fears that insurgent attacks may be resurfacing after months of relative calm.
The blasts came just hours after suspected terrorists attempted to infiltrate parts of the Maiduguri outskirts earlier in the day.
Residents said suspected Boko Haram fighters breached the security perimeter around the city in the early hours of Monday and stormed Ajilari Cross, Bulanari and Dala communities in the south-western part of Maiduguri.
According to locals, the attackers detonated explosives around 12:45 a.m. to signal their presence before opening fire.
“The terrorists first detonated explosives and then started shooting sporadically. It caused panic in the area,” a resident told ThisNigeria.
The attack was eventually repelled by a joint security team comprising the military, police and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Confirming the incident, the Borno State Police Command said security operatives had been deployed to restore order.
“Following reports of a foiled 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,” police spokesperson Nahum Daso said in a statement.
He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
“We appeal to members of the public to remain calm, avoid the affected areas, and cooperate with security agencies as operations continue,” Daso added.
