Several dead after suicide bombings in northeastern Nigeria

At least three suspected suicide bombings were reported in northeastern Nigeria, with blasts striking the city’s main market, a teaching hospital and the post office flyover area, according to officials. Several people were feared dead or injured, though no official casualty toll was immediately released.

The explosions happened on Monday in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. The Borno State Police Command said its explosive ordnance disposal unit was carrying out clearance operations at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the Maiduguri Monday Market and the Post Office flyover after three suspected suicide bomb incidents.

An AFP reporter at a city hospital saw dozens of wounded people seeking treatment, along with multiple bodies covered by sheets outside. Local media reported that witnesses at the teaching hospital saw many bodies and critically injured victims brought to the emergency unit.

Dauda Iliya, a media aide to the Borno state government, told AFP that authorities were still working to confirm casualties from the blasts at the market and the hospital.

Police later said normalcy had been restored and urged residents to remain calm and vigilant. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

The bombings came hours after police said joint security forces had repelled attempted infiltrations by suspected Boko Haram or ISWAP fighters in the Kofa area on the outskirts of Maiduguri. Police said no civilians or security personnel were killed in those operations, though the attackers were believed to have suffered casualties.

AFP reported that fighters from Boko Haram and ISWAP have recently stepped up attacks in northeastern Nigeria. Last week, the army confirmed coordinated attacks on several military bases in the region that local civilian and military sources said killed at least 14 people, including 10 soldiers.