Panic gripped residents of Maiduguri on Monday evening after multiple explosions rocked parts of the city, leaving several people injured and triggering widespread fear across the Borno State capital.
The blasts, which occurred shortly after the Muslim evening meal of iftar around 7:00 p.m., reportedly struck crowded areas, including the busy Maiduguri Main Market.
According to counterinsurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the first explosion was recorded within the vicinity of the main market just as traders and residents were resuming activities following the breaking of the day’s Ramadan fast.
Eyewitnesses said the explosion triggered chaos in the market as traders, shoppers and commuters ran for safety amid fears of further attacks. Several persons were said to have sustained injuries in the incident, though the exact number of casualties remained unclear at the time of filing this report.
“I heard a loud bang and people started running in different directions,” said a trader who witnessed the incident. “Some people fell while trying to escape, and a few were already injured from the blast.”
Security sources indicated that additional explosions were reported in other parts of the city shortly after the initial blast, heightening tension among residents.
Emergency responders and security operatives were quickly deployed to affected locations to evacuate the injured and secure the area.
Victims were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment while security agencies cordoned off the blast sites.
Authorities have yet to officially confirm the total number of casualties or the cause of the explosions, but investigations are already underway.
The latest incident has revived memories of past attacks in the city during the height of insurgency activities in the North-East.
Maiduguri, once the epicentre of insurgent violence in the region, has witnessed improved security in recent years following sustained military operations.
However, security analysts warn that isolated attacks remain possible as extremist groups continue to attempt to disrupt stability in the region.
Residents have been urged to remain calm and vigilant while cooperating with security agencies as efforts continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the blasts.
As of press time, security patrols had been intensified across strategic locations in Maiduguri to prevent further incidents and reassure residents.
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