The recent bomb attacks in Maiduguri have drawn strong condemnation from the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), which warns that Nigeria cannot afford to return to the dark days of terror in the North-East.
The explosions on March 16, 2026, targeted the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Monday Market, and Post Office areas, killing and injuring dozens and shattering the fragile peace painstakingly restored after years of insurgency.
In a statement, CNG National Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, described the coordinated attacks as “barbaric and cowardly” and a stark reminder that terrorist networks are testing the nation’s resilience.
“These attacks are assaults not only on innocent lives but also on national stability and the hard-won peace of Maiduguri and the North-East. Nigeria cannot go back to the days of bomb blasts, fear, and mass killings”, Charanchi said.
The coalition extended condolences to the victims’ families, the people and government of Borno State, and the Shehu of Borno, while praying for the swift recovery of those injured.
CNG called for urgent and decisive action from the Federal Government, Borno State authorities, and security agencies, urging them to go beyond routine responses and confront the renewed threat with determination.
Charanchi also expressed concern over a resurgence of Boko Haram activity in parts of the North-East, noting that it coincides with the controversial deployment of foreign troops.
“Nigeria has the capacity to tackle its security challenges without reliance on foreign forces, whose presence may complicate matters.
“Security strategies must be anchored in national interest, accountability, and transparency”, he said.
The coalition urged authorities to intensify efforts to identify and prosecute sponsors and financiers of terrorism. “Those who fund and sustain terror must be tracked, prosecuted, and dealt with decisively, regardless of status or connections”, Charanchi added.
CNG stressed the importance of visible leadership at the highest level, calling on President Bola Tinubu to cut short his trip to the United Kingdom and return to Nigeria to take direct charge of the security situation.
“The resurgence of these attacks shows that terrorism, though weakened, has not been completely defeated. It requires renewed strategies, stronger intelligence coordination, and visible leadership to ensure lasting security”, Charanchi said.
“The people of Maiduguri have suffered enough. The North-East has paid a heavy price. Nigeria must not be dragged backward into an era of terror. Error must never take root again—not in Maiduguri, not in the North, not anywhere in Nigeria”, Charanchi concluded.
The coalition also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies while demanding accountability from those charged with protecting lives and property.
About the Author
