Tinubu orders security chiefs to Maiduguri after deadly bombings kill 23

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate relocation of security chiefs to Maiduguri following coordinated suicide bombings that killed 23 people and injured over 100 others in Borno State, describing the attacks as desperate attempts by terrorists under sustained military pressure.

The directive was issued on Tuesday, as he described the attacks as “desperate and frantic attempts” by insurgents facing sustained military pressure.

The near-simultaneous explosions occurred at about 7:02 p.m. on Monday at three locations, the Maiduguri Monday Market, the Post Office Flyover, and a security post at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

In a statement shared on his official X account, Tinubu expressed grief over the casualties and extended condolences to victims and residents of Borno State.

“I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time,” the President said.

He maintained that the attacks signal desperation among terrorist groups, insisting that ongoing military operations have significantly weakened them.

“These acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instil and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our armed forces and security agencies,” he added.

As part of immediate response measures, Tinubu ordered security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to directly oversee operations and stabilise the situation.

He also directed emergency response agencies to ensure prompt medical care for victims.

The President further disclosed that he had, during a recent security meeting, approved additional equipment and operational support for security agencies to strengthen their capabilities, a move he said is already being implemented.

While commending troops for repelling separate coordinated assaults on military positions in the state, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.

“There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them. Nigeria will not succumb to fear,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has raised fresh concerns over intelligence suggesting that multiple suicide bombers may have been deployed into Maiduguri by suspected Boko Haram.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Sanni Uba, spokesperson for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, said the attackers deliberately targeted crowded public spaces to maximise casualties and trigger panic.

“The cowardly attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt by the terrorists to inflict mass casualties and create panic within the metropolis,” he said.

He noted that troops, working alongside the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit and other security agencies, swiftly responded by securing and cordoning off affected areas to prevent further incidents.

According to the military, security forces have intensified surveillance, patrols, and counter-improvised explosive device operations across the city to track down suspected attackers and avert additional strikes.

“Emergency responders and medical teams have since been deployed across hospitals in Maiduguri to treat the injured, while rescue and evacuation efforts continue at the blast sites”, it added.

Residents have been urged to remain calm but vigilant, avoid crowded locations, and promptly report suspicious movements or unattended objects to security agencies authorities race to prevent further attacks.