By Luka Binniyat and Mike James Odeh
(Maiduguri) – As forewarned by TruthNigeria Saturday, Islamist terrorists detonated two bombs on Maiduguri town, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria Monday evening, after they attacked a suburb of the town Sunday night and two other locations, TruthNigeria has learned.
TruthNigeria warned on Saturday, 14th March, 2026, through a security alert that Boko Haram or Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) would attack targets in Maiduguri on or before the Muslim Eid al‑Fitr celebration of next week.
Vanguard reports that the Borno State Police Command has confirmed multiple explosions suspected to have been masterminded by Boko Haram/ISWAP suicide bombers at various locations in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Monday evening with other reports indicating that the casualties could be more than 12 killed.
A viral video obtained by ThruthNigeria shows a grim scene of the bombing in a location with rescuers desperately trying to evacuate the wounded, as they covered the dead.
The confirmation of the blast, according to Vanguard was made by the Police Public Relations Officer of Borno State Police Command, ASP Keneth Daso, in a telephone call with its Correspondent.
Daso, who was busy in the rescue team at the time of the telephone conversation, said the blasts took place at the gate of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and the popular Monday Market general area simultaneously, said Vanguard.
“It was very difficult to give the actual number of casualties as the rescue mission is ongoing”, but he admitted that many people were killed,” according to Vanguard.
On Sunday night, according to viral videos and news reports of the attacks, the terrorists attacked a military position on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and other military bases far from Maiduguri.
Attack on Maiduguri
Daily Trust reports that the terrorists reportedly targeted a military formation at Ajilari, a community located along the Maiduguri–Damboa road late Sunday night.
“Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard in the area as troops engaged the attackers. Residents said the exchange lasted for several hours before reinforcements were deployed to the scene,” the paper reports.
The paper cited as saying that the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, confirmed the incident saying security operatives were on top of the situation.
“Many residents who were out for night prayers were seen in groups discussing the attack as helicopters hovered the sky.
“We were very scared; the whole air was taken over by gunshots and explosions. But the situation is calm and prayers have begun,” one of the residents in Gomari, Bashir Yusuf, said, according to Daily Trust.
“Less than 48 hours after the attack, a group identified as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad claimed responsibility, vowing to extend the terror activities to Maiduguri and Abuja, the nation’s capital,” the Punch reported Monday. The group referenced by Punch is Boko Haram (Western Learning Forbidden).
“In a one-minute, 30-second video obtained by TruthNigeria, the group of five men said they were determined to claim the territory and rename it,” says Punch, but did not post the video.
Viral videos of the attacks
“Nigerians!” yelled a former Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Micheal Ndubusi, now a content creator who goes by the moniker, “D English Alhaji” on his Facebook page, Monday.
“It was a full-blown war this morning around 12:30 and 1 am.
“Boko Haram came out in full force,” he says.
“Every corner, bomb blasts are just coming here, there, left and right, everywhere,” he said.
“Fire everywhere! Maiduguri was on fire!” he said.
Zagazola Makama, a renowned Nigeria military analyst, who had earlier dismissed as “misleading” rumors over the planned attacks, yesterday reported that Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP), which, like Boko Haram, identifies with ISIS, carried out the threat.
Zagazola, however, downplayed the seriousness of Monday’s attack, saying that the invaders suffered serious casualties and had to retreat.
Writing on his blog: Zagazola.com, he said:
“Nigerian troops have successfully repelled coordinated attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on multiple military positions across Borno State, including Maiduguri, Damboa, Baga, and Buratai, early Saturday.
According to him the incursion was met with swift resistance by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with joint forces from Police Crack Squad, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Nigerian Special Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and local hunters.
Assaults in Southwest Borno near Cameroon Border
“At about 1:10 a.m., insurgents launched an assault on the 135th Special Forces Battalion in Buratai, Biu LGA, engaging troops in heavy gunfire for nearly two hours,” he said.
Buratai is about 115 miles Southwest of Maiduguri.
He added that, simultaneously, ISWAP targeted the Brigade Headquarters and positions in the Baga–Mile 4 axis, including locations linked to the Special Boat Service (SBS), which secures Lake Chad waterways.
Baga is about 125 miles northeast of Maiduguri.
“Insurgents employed gun trucks, motorcycles, and rocket-propelled grenades in attempts to overwhelm defensive positions,” he said.
“Troops responded with coordinated firepower, inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists and forcing them to disengage,” Zagazola reported without giving casualty figures.
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has long been the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency that began in northeastern Nigeria in 2009. The jihadist movement, founded by Mohammed Yusuf, turned violent after a confrontation with Nigerian security forces that year triggered a full-scale uprising centered in the city.
Since then, Maiduguri has witnessed numerous bombings, suicide attacks, and armed assaults. In July 2009, clashes between Boko Haram fighters and security forces in the city left hundreds dead and marked the beginning of the insurgency.
Even areas surrounding the city have suffered devastating raids. Voice of America reported in January 2016 that Boko Haram militants attacked Dalori village on Maiduguri’s outskirts, killing approximately 86 people and burning homes in one of the deadliest attacks near the capital.
Although Nigerian forces later pushed the insurgents out of much of the territory they once controlled, sporadic attacks, suicide bombings, and attempted incursions around Maiduguri continue to terrorize residents.
Luka Binniyat and Mike James Odeh write for Truth Nigeria from Kaduna.
