President Bola Tinubu has come under attack following multiple bombings by terrorists in Maiduguri, Borno State, on the eve of his state visit to the United Kingdom.

Terrorists bombed different locations in Maiduguri, on Monday evening, leaving several people injured and others killed.

The state Police Command has confirmed that 23 people were killed and 108 others injured in the coordinated explosions believed to have been carried out by suspected Boko Haram operatives. The attackers targeted crowded locations, including the Monday Market, the main gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and the Post Office Flyover.

Sources within the city suggest that the actual death toll could be higher, as some of the injured reportedly died while receiving treatment.

In a statement early yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Daso, said the blasts occurred around 7:24 pm.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.

“Regrettably, a total of 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he said.

A joint team of police tactical units, the military, and other security agencies were immediately deployed to secure the affected areas.

The Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit conducted thorough sweeps to prevent further incidents.

The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, described the attacks as an attempt by terrorists to inflict mass casualties and sow panic among residents.

Lt. Col. Sani Uba said troops, together with police EOD teams and other security agencies, responded swiftly to secure the locations and assist in rescue operations.

The attack has drawn reactions from the Peoples Democratically Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Northern States Governors’ Forum, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume.

•Presidency deploying energy against opposition than fighting insecurity –PDP

PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the Maiduguri bomb blasts are evidence of inability of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to curb growing insecurity in the country.

The opposition party charged the Federal Government to move beyond rhetoric in security matters and engage strategic stakeholders, especially community leaders, as part of efforts in tackling security challenges in the country.

“This bombing is an unfortunate addition to the numerous acts of grave insecurity that have occurred under the watch of President Bola Tinubu, who was the loudest campaign voice for the APC, promising to end insecurity immediately if his party is elected.

“Sadly, 11 years later, insecurity has not only increased significantly in the Northeastern part of Nigeria; it has spread almost uncontrollably to many other parts of the country that were hitherto very safe and peaceful.

“Despite this glaring failure, the APC-led Presidency has devoted more time, energy, and resources to the task of political genocide against the opposition, instead of deploying the same to combat the growing insecurity that has become the lived reality and new normal of Nigerians. There is no one, including the President, who will not agree that our country was safer in 2015 than it is today.

“While we sympathise with the families who have been affected by this dastardly and most condemnable act, we call on the federal government to move beyond rhetoric in security matters and engage strategic stakeholders, especially community leaders, as part of a whole-of-society approach to combating insecurity.”

The ADC expressed concern that President Tinubu was out of the country at such a critical time, urging him to return immediately and attend to his job of securing lives and property.

The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, expressed concern that President Tinubu is out of the country at such a critical time.

The opposition party, while condemning the bomb blast, sympathised with the victims and their families, noting that the government must prioritise the security of the people over politics and diplomatic engagements.

The ADC expressed dismay that while the President is out of the country, key government nationals saddled with security matters are allegedly engaged in political issues.

“Moments like this demand the full and undivided attention of the nation’s leadership. It is therefore troubling that the President is currently outside the country at a time when such a serious attack on national security occurred.

“At a time when Nigerian soldiers and civilians are being wilfully killed by terrorists, those charged with protecting the country are focused on politics of self-succession. The National Security Adviser is going after opposition figures and calling bandits his ‘brothers’, while the Minister of Defence is on television planning the APC national convention.

“This is not leadership. It is a dangerous distraction, and it is costing lives.

In case this government has forgotten, those being killed by terrorists are not just numbers. Those soldiers being mowed down by bandits are people’s children, husbands, fathers and families. In any serious country, a devastating security breach would command the full attention of government. Leaders would return home, address the nation, and take responsibility.

Instead, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is abroad, exchanging pleasantries with the King and Queen of England while Nigerians mourn and soldiers are being buried. Not a word has been spared for the victims or the brave soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of Nigeria. The oath of office is clear, the primary duty of government is the protection of lives, and that duty is certainly not being met by this APC government.

“The protection of lives and property is the most basic responsibility of any government. It cannot be treated as secondary to political distractions or competing priorities. The ADC therefore calls on President Tinubu to return immediately to the country and show, for once, that he cares about something else other than his politics.”

•You’ve failed to secure Nigeria – Obi

In his reaction, Mr. Obi described the attacks as a grim reflection of Nigeria’s worsening security situation.

Obi on his verified ‘X’ handle said the tragic attacks showed the failure of the President Tinubu led-government to uphold its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.

He lamented what he described as the growing normalisation of insecurity across the country.

“The fact that innocent Nigerians can be killed in multiple coordinated attacks, with many others injured, shows how far we have strayed from the fundamental duty of governance.”

He further noted that the nation’s muted response to such incidents reflected a dangerous trend of complacency in the face of persistent violence.

The former Anambra State governor also linked the Maiduguri explosions to a broader pattern of insecurity affecting several parts of the country, including Kwara State, Nasarawa State, Kogi State, Plateau State, Sokoto State and Benue State, as well as parts of the Federal Capital Territory.

He expressed particular concern over reports from Katsina State, where some communities are allegedly being forced to pay levies, described as “peace tax,” to armed groups to avoid attacks.

According to him, the current situation demands urgent and decisive leadership, stressing that moments like these test not only the country’s security architecture but also the commitment of its leaders.

“This is a grave national emergency that requires immediate presence, attention and action,” Obi stated.

Obi concluded by calling for a renewed national resolve to confront insecurity, insisting that Nigeria must act urgently to safeguard its citizens. “We cannot continue down this path. Our nation must rise to protect its people with urgency, responsibility, and compassion.”

•Ndume: Put security before 2027 politics

Senator Ndume urged President Tinubu to shift attention from political calculations ahead of 2027 and confront Nigeria’s worsening security crisis head-on.

The former Senate leader urged the President to prioritise the protection of lives and improvement of citizens’ welfare, stressing that these remain the core responsibilities of government.

“President Tinubu should concentrate on governance. He should address the safety of Nigerians and their welfare first.

“If there is no improvement in their welfare and security, the government becomes their enemy.

“He should walk his talk on this emergency on security. The people should see that he is addressing their welfare.

“We are in a state of emergency and he should be seen to be addressing the scary security situation, convincingly. A lot of people are still missing from the Ngoshe massacre.”

Ndume also called for a more proactive security response, urging agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and investigations to prevent attacks before they occur. Hr demanded that “perpetrators of the Maiduguri bombings must be arrested in relation to the explosions,” afding, “I learnt that one of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was detonated from a tricycle. That must have been registered with the relevant authority and investigation will expose the owner and that may help in identifying those behind the explosions.”

While sympathising with the Borno State government, residents of the North-East and families of victims, Ndume criticised what he described as an insufficient response from the Presidency.

“It is not enough to put up a strongly worded press statement. What has happened in Borno and other states in terms of the number of deaths and injuries recorded call for national mourning.

“If President Tinubu can’t visit Borno, he should send Vice President, Kashim Shettima to really assure Nigerians that he cares about their plights.”

•Northern govs demand urgent action

Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, denounced the incident, characterising it as “heinous, barbaric and a direct assault on innocent lives.”

In a statement issued on behalf of the forum, Governor Yahaya expressed sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the government and people of Borno State, particularly families who lost loved ones.

“This senseless act of violence is not only reprehensible but a cruel attempt to instill fear and disrupt the fragile peace being restored in the North-East. It is an attack on our collective humanity and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”

The Forum also sympathised with victims receiving treatment in various hospitals and prayed for their swift recovery. He commended first responders and security agencies for their prompt response in managing the aftermath of the blasts.

It reaffirmed the commitment of northern governors to collaborate with the Federal Government and security agencies to combat terrorism and other forms of criminality threatening the region.

The governors urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, while cooperating with security agencies by providing credible information to aid ongoing investigations.

“Now, more than ever, we must stand united against forces of terror. Our resolve to secure our region remains unshaken, and together, we shall overcome these cowardly acts.”

The governors also called for intensified efforts to ensure that those responsible for the attacks are swiftly brought to justice, while praying for the repose of the souls of the victims. (The Sun)

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