An unspecified number of persons have been feared killed, while several others sustained injuries following bomb explosions on Monday evening in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
The explosions reportedly occurred around the popular Monday Market and near a security post at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital at about 7:02 pm.
Sources said the blasts happened almost simultaneously, just hours after suspected members of the Boko Haram launched coordinated attacks on three military formations across the state.
Confirming the incident, the Head of Operations of the Federal Fire Service in Borno, Mohammed Kafaran, said emergency responders had been deployed to the affected areas.
“Yes, there was a bomb explosion at the Monday Market area around Elkanemi. We have deployed our team there to assess the situation. We will get back to you shortly,” he said.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and devastation, with several casualties lying on the ground immediately after the blasts.
Many of the injured, according to residents, were quickly evacuated to nearby medical facilities, including the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri.
“There were dead bodies on the ground, and many persons with wounds have been rushed to the hospital,” one eyewitness told The PUNCH.
Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted the moment the explosion occurred, describing a loud blast that sent people running for safety.
