The Federal Government has ordered security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri, Borno State, following bomb blasts that killed about 23 people in the North-East city.
President Bola Tinubu, while condemning the attacks, described them as “desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements” seeking to instil fear due to sustained pressure from security forces.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the President directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri and take charge of operations in the state. He also instructed emergency agencies to provide proper care for those injured in the attacks.
Tinubu described the incident as “profoundly upsetting” and warned that terrorists would find no safe haven in Nigeria. He pledged that security forces would track down and defeat those responsible.
“We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them,” the President said, adding that efforts to tackle insecurity would be intensified across the country.
He commended the military for repelling coordinated attacks on their positions in the state and noted that additional equipment and operational support had recently been approved to strengthen their capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Northern Senators’ Forum expressed shock over the explosions and extended condolences to the government and people of Borno State. The forum assured that the Federal Government would take necessary steps to restore confidence in the affected areas. It also called on Nigerians to remain calm and support security agencies in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Police authorities in Borno confirmed that 23 people were killed and 108 others injured in the blasts, which occurred on Monday. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Kenneth-Daso, preliminary investigations indicate that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
Security operatives, including police tactical units and the military, have since been deployed to the affected areas, while emergency responders evacuated victims and provided medical care to the injured.
Witnesses recounted scenes of panic as multiple explosions occurred in quick succession. A resident, Modu Bukar, said people fled a market after the first blast, only for another explosion to occur near the post office area. Another survivor, Mala Mohammed, said a suspected bomber ran into a crowd as people attempted to escape, leading to further casualties.
The incident occurred as President Tinubu was preparing for a state visit to the United Kingdom.
