Suicide bombings in Maiduguri, Nigeria, left at least 23 people dead and over 100 others injured, officials stated on Tuesday—while a Christian nonprofit leader cautioned that the violence underscores persistent religious persecution.
According to the Associated Press, one of the most lethal attacks on Maiduguri in recent memory occurred Monday night, with blasts hitting crowded spots: a key market in Borno State’s capital and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Nahum Kenneth Daso, spokesperson for Borno State police, noted in a statement that those injured “suffered injuries of different severities” and attributed the attacks to suspected suicide bombers.
President Bola Tinubu—who left Nigeria Tuesday for a two-day state trip to the United Kingdom—extended condolences to the victims and directed security leaders to “take control of the situation” in Maiduguri.
“The Monday attacks were desperate acts of the evil-minded terrorist groups,” Tinubu said. “Our gallant military and civilian task forces will curtail and put them down.”
Though no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, the AP reported that suspicion is focused on the Boko Haram jihadist group— which started an insurgency in northeastern Nigeria in 2009 to impose its extreme interpretation of Sharia law.
Since beginning its insurgency, Boko Haram has become more powerful, boasting thousands of fighters and several factions—some linked to the Islamic State organization.
The Monday night blasts started around 7:30 PM at the teaching hospital’s entrance. Minutes later, two more explosions occurred: one at Monday Market and another at a nearby post office center, both roughly 2.5 miles away from the hospital.
Caleb Jonah, a survivor of the hospital entrance blast, told the AP he sustained injuries to his legs and hands.
“I was coming to the hospital to check (in on) a patient when I saw two men struggling with the security men at the gate,” Jonah said. “Before I could process what was going on I heard the deafening blast and I passed out.”
Brad Brandon, CEO and founder of Across Nigeria, stated the attack felt personal. Per the group’s website, Across Nigeria aims to transform Nigeria and neighboring regions by sharing God’s love through Jesus Christ.
“As the CEO and founder of Across Nigeria, these recent attacks in Maiduguri are personal and a stark reminder that the devastating violence continues in northern Nigeria,” he said in a statement. “This is the result of radical Islamic groups that are allowed to operate unchecked. The only question is, how many more must be killed, before the world wakes up to the genocide that slaughters thousands of Christians every year.”
“We condemn these violent acts and the perpetrators who commit them,” he added. “We also call on the U.S. Government to intervene and the media to embrace their role in bringing light to the hidden things of darkness.”
Although Maiduguri has long been a focal point of deadly violence in Nigeria, it has seen relative calm in recent years—even as extremists attack rural areas.
Monday’s attack happened less than 24 hours after the Nigerian military fended off militant attacks near Maiduguri.
By Tuesday morning, heavy security forces had been sent to the impacted sites and along main roads.