Governor Babagana Zulum has said two suspected suicide bombers remain at large following multiple explosions in Maiduguri, raising fresh security concerns in the region.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Pidgin, the governor disclosed that intelligence reports indicate five attackers infiltrated the city. According to him, three have already detonated improvised explosive devices, while efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining two.
“As I mentioned earlier, the intelligence we have received so far indicates that five suicide bombers infiltrated Maiduguri. So far, three have detonated their IEDs, while the whereabouts of the remaining two are still being investigated,” he said.
The attacks left more than 100 people injured and at least 23 dead, prompting heightened security alerts across the city. Authorities believe the coordinated nature of the blasts points to renewed insurgent activity.
Zulum said security agencies have intensified surveillance and are actively tracking the suspects, urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid crowded areas, particularly during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. “We are on top of the situation, and we will find the two who are yet to detonate their devices,” he said.
He attributed the infiltration to ongoing military operations in Sambisa Forest and around Lake Chad, noting that insurgents often disperse into civilian areas to evade pressure from security forces.
The governor also highlighted the challenges posed by Maiduguri’s growing population, estimated at between three and four million, which complicates efforts to effectively screen individuals entering the city.
Despite the attacks, Zulum maintained that security has improved compared to previous years and assured residents that additional measures have been put in place to prevent further incidents.
Meanwhile, Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri in response to the situation, while the African Union has called for increased international support to assist Nigeria in addressing the ongoing insurgency.Petroleum Sector Insights