Borno Bombings: 23 Dead as Tinubu Sends Security Chiefs to Maiduguri
By: Abudu Olalekan
The recent Borno bombings have sparked national outrage, with President Tinubu ordering defence chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri immediately. This article covers the casualty figures, the coordinated suicide attacks, and the political fallout.
It’s happening again.
After three suicide bombers ripped through Maiduguri on Monday night, killing 23 people and injuring 108 others, the federal government is panicking. Or at least, that’s what they want you to think.
Security chiefs have packed their bags and moved to the Borno State capital. President Bola Tinubu ordered the relocation Tuesday morning, calling the attacks “desperate and frantic attempts” by terrorists who are clearly feeling the heat.
Let’s be real—23 people are dead. Over a hundred are nursing injuries. And it happened at 7:02 p.m., right when people were trying to wind down.
Three bombers. Almost same time. One hit the busy Monday Market. Another took out the Post Office Flyover. The third? Right at the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. You can’t make this stuff up.
Tinubu, who is currently busy smiling for cameras in the UK (more on that later), took to X to mourn. “I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno,” he said.
But he also tried to spin it.
“These acts of terror are the final desperate attempts by criminals,” he insisted. Final? Tell that to the families counting bodies today.
He claims he’s already on it. “I have directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge,” he said. He also mentioned releasing more equipment—stuff he apparently approved at a meeting last weekend. Better late than never, I guess.
The Borno Police spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the numbers on Tuesday. 23 dead. 108 injured. He said a joint team of Police, Military, and EOD units swarmed the scenes, sweeping for secondary devices.
But here’s the thing. This isn’t just a random attack. It’s Ramadan. Monday Market was packed with people breaking their fast. And it’s barely two weeks since Boko Haram/ISWAP butchered soldiers and village heads in Ngoshe, Gwoza.
Borno is bleeding again.
“God Spared Us” – Brothers Narrowly Escape Death
Speaking to our correspondent in Maiduguri, two brothers, Sanni Muhammad (35) and Bashir Muhammad (17), are still shaking. They were supposed to be there.
Sanni said they left their house on Damboa Road around 6:45 p.m. to pick up some items at the market. But a stupid car refused to start at the NTA traffic light.
“Everyone was complaining,” Sanni said. “Just a brief delay. But if that car had started? We would have been right there when the bomb went off. The keke driver was speeding.”
He called it an act of God. I’d call it luck. But their friends? Not so lucky.
Army Raises Alarm: “More Bombers Are In Town”
The Nigerian Army isn’t playing games. Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, speaking for Operation Hadin Kai, said intelligence suggests multiple suicide bombers have been sent into Maiduguri.
“The cowardly attacks targeted crowded public areas to inflict mass casualties,” he said. Translation: They want to kill as many as possible.
His advice? Avoid crowds. Report anything suspicious. Because clearly, this isn’t over.
Politics as Usual: Atiku Blasts Tinubu’s UK Trip
You knew this was coming.
Former VP Atiku Abubakar didn’t hold back. He said the resurgence of bombing is eroding public confidence—fancy talk for “Nigerians have stopped believing you.”
“Nigerians are not impressed with the government’s statements,” Atiku fired. “They are more concerned about results. Results speak louder than rhetoric.”
Ouch.
He even dragged Tinubu’s state visit to the UK while soldiers are dropping like flies. “Our soldiers are dying with outdated equipment while the President is on a state visit to Britain,” he said, adding, “You cannot campaign for 2027 on the graves of the people you failed to protect.”
Peter Obi was somber. He said the silence from Nigerians is the scariest part—we’re getting used to it. “The silence indicates a disturbing normalisation of insecurity,” he wrote on X. He’s right. We just scroll past it now.
Even the Northern Governors’ Forum, usually very polite, called it “barbaric.” Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe said it’s a “direct assault on innocent lives.”
PDP: “Tinubu Promised To End Insecurity, Now It’s Worse”
The PDP says this proves the APC failed. Simple as that.
“President Tinubu was the loudest campaign voice… promising to end insecurity immediately,” said PDP spokesman Ini Ememobong. “Sadly, 11 years later, insecurity has spread uncontrollably.”
They accused the govt of focusing on “political genocide” against the opposition instead of fixing the roads and security. Harsh, but look at the numbers.
The Heartbreak: Families Searching for Missing Loved Ones
Meanwhile, the police say families are storming stations looking for people who haven’t come home.
“Some of the victims were severely injured beyond recognition,” ASP Daso admitted. They’re using ward heads to track down the missing. If you haven’t seen your brother since Monday, you need to go to the station. Now.
Yobe Tightens Security Ahead of Eid
Neighbouring Yobe isn’t taking chances. With Eid-el-Fitr coming up Thursday, the police there have issued a high alert.
“Remain calm but vigilant,” they warned. No reckless driving. No carrying dangerous weapons. “If you see something, say something.”
Let’s hope they actually listen this time. Because Maiduguri just proved that tragedy can strike anywhere, anytime.
