The Maiduguri suicide bombings

Suicide bombers, last week, struck in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, shattering the peaceful atmosphere that had pervaded the city for some time. In the attack, which occurred on March 16, the bombers detonated explosives almost simultaneously at the Maiduguri Monday Market, the Post Office Flyover area, and the security post at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. At least 23 people were killed in the explosions and more than 100 others were injured.

Before the attacks, Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, had raised the alarm on the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in the state. He had warned that the government was losing ground to the terrorist group. His alert came on the heels of suspected coordinated attacks on an army base and a military outpost in Borno State, killing at least 16 people.

Earlier in the year, at least 20 soldiers were reportedly killed in an attack by fighters from Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP). The attackers targeted an army base in the remote Malam Fatori town in an offensive that lasted for more than three hours. Within the same period, at least 40 farmers were reportedly killed in the state.

The Borno attacks followed the same pattern of coordinated offensives by Boko Haram and ISWAP on military formations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana, Mainok and other parts of the state, which left many civilians and military personnel dead. The incidents mark a serious setback on the gains recorded in pushing back the terrorists, coming on the heels of a similar situation in December 2025, when an explosion ripped through a mosque in the Borno capital city, killing at least five people and injuring dozens of worshippers.

We condemn the attacks and sympathise with those who lost their loved ones in the bombings. We also pray for quick recovery of the injured. The resurgence of suicide bombings indicates that the terrorists are becoming more daring. The federal government must, therefore, rise up to the challenge. The swiftness of the attacks underscores the need for more vigilance as well as intensification of intelligence gathering and sharing by security agencies. It is also a pointer that terrorism is still potent in the country and requires more proactive measures to contain it.

Terrorism attacks in Borno State have become excessive, unbearable and unacceptable. The attacks must be halted. It is the primary duty of the government to protect all Nigerians. Therefore, the government should rise to the occasion and be more decisive in dealing with the situation. President Bola Timubu ordering top military brass to relocate to Maiduguri over the recent terrorist attacks is not enough. There must be strategic and sustainable measures to tackle the menace.

There is need for change of tactics in tackling the growing insecurity in Borno State and other parts of the country. Government should look inwards on why efforts put in place so far are not yielding the desired results. The government should adequately equip the troops with advanced weapons, including drones and high-precision missiles. There is need for deployment of more troops and equipment to Borno and other flashpoints of terrorism. The border posts also need to be adequately policed to check intrusions by terrorists and other criminal elements. The police and other security agencies must work in concert to secure and protect the citizens.

Terror attacks on Maiduguri and other parts of Nigeria must be brought to an end. At a time when Nigeria is preparing for a general election and pressing for economic growth, all parts of the country ought to be secured. That is the least the citizenry expects from government.