President Bola Tinubu has ordered Nigeria’s top security chiefs to immediately relocate to Maiduguri, Borno State, following the deadly bomb explosions that claimed at least 23 lives and left more than 100 others injured in the North-East.
The President, in a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, condemned the attacks as deliberate acts of terror aimed at spreading fear and destabilising the region, describing them as the desperate actions of criminal and terrorist groups facing sustained pressure from security forces.
“I have directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri and take charge of the situation,” Tinubu stated, adding that emergency response agencies have also been instructed to ensure proper treatment and care for all victims injured in the blasts.
Describing the incident as “deeply disturbing,” the President assured Nigerians that the perpetrators would be tracked down and decisively dealt with.
“There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them,” he declared.
Tinubu further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to intensifying military and intelligence operations against criminal networks nationwide, while praising the courage and resilience of security personnel for repelling what he described as coordinated terrorist attacks on military formations in Borno State.
He noted that his administration had recently approved additional military equipment and operational support to strengthen the capacity of security agencies, stressing that implementation of those measures is already underway.
Northern Senators, Governors React
The Northern Senators’ Forum also condemned the bombings, expressing shock and grief over the tragic loss of lives.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, the forum extended condolences to the government and people of Borno State, while assuring residents that the Federal Government would take all necessary steps to restore confidence and security in the state.
“We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and comfort for the families of the victims. We also call on Nigerians to remain calm and support security agencies as they work to bring those responsible to justice,” the statement read.
Similarly, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum described the attack as a senseless and reckless waste of innocent lives.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said governors across the country stand in solidarity with Borno State and pledged continued collaboration with the Federal Government to eliminate terrorism nationwide.
“Our condolences and sympathies are with the people and government of Borno State on this painful development. We remain committed to working with the Federal Government to defeat terrorism in every part of Nigeria,” he said.
Casualties and Eyewitness Accounts
According to the Borno State Police Command, preliminary investigations indicate that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
Police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth-Daso confirmed that 23 people lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
A joint security operation involving police tactical teams, military personnel, and other security operatives has since been deployed to the affected locations.
Emergency responders evacuated victims from the blast scenes, while injured persons are currently receiving treatment in medical facilities.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos and panic as multiple explosions struck within minutes.
One survivor, Modu Bukar, said the first blast occurred inside the market, triggering panic as traders and buyers scrambled for safety.
“We were sitting in the market when we heard a loud explosion. Everyone started running immediately. While people were still fleeing, another blast occurred near the post office,” he said.
Another survivor, Mala Mohammed, explained that many victims ran toward the post office area because it was close to the market exit, unaware that another bomber was heading into the crowd.
The attack comes at a significant moment, as President Tinubu was preparing for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, the first official visit of its kind by a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades.
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