Families have begun searching for their loved ones who last reported that they were visiting one of the three locations that were affected by the Borno blast that killed 23 and injured 108 others on Monday evening.

Our correspondent had earlier reported that suspected suicide bombers attacked three locations, including Post Office Flyover, Monday Market axis, and the entrance of the University Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri.

The police have confirmed the attack, noting that the investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A statement on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said, “The scenes were immediately secured, cordoned off, and subjected to thorough sweep operations by Police Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Unit Base 13 Maiduguri to rule out the presence of any additional threats.”

Confirming the current situation exclusively to PUNCH on Tuesday afternoon, the spokesperson said they have begun to receive reports from relatives searching for their loved ones.

According to him, the police has liased with ward heads in the state to help them in obtaining reports from families seeking the whereabouts of their loved ones.

He said, “What we are doing is that we are using Bulamas (ward heads) and other community leaders. We are in contact with them, incase if there are any reports.

“So far, I am very sure the divisional police stations have received complaints from families.”

Daso called on families with missing relatives to report to the nearest stations or their ward heads.

“We are calling on families who haven’t found their loved relatives to visit the nearest police station to make a report because some of the victims were severely injured beyond recognition,” he said.

Recall that PUNCH earlier reported that the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had condemned the attack.

Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, described the attack as despicable, cruel, and cowardly, targeting innocent people in the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, called for increased vigilance and heightened security measures, particularly in places of worship, as the festive period beckons.

“I am deeply saddened by the explosions that occurred in parts of the metropolis on Monday evening.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric, and inhumane,” said Zulum.

He added, “The recent surge in attacks is not unconnected with intense military operations in the Sambisa forest and other hideouts of the insurgents.”

The governor, therefore, assured people of the state that the military and other security agencies are on top of the situation, as adequate measures have been taken to forestall any security breach in Maiduguri and the entire state.

The attack marks the latest among a series of assault perpetuated by terrorists against civilian populations across the state (PUNCH)

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