•Police confirm 23 dead, 108 injured •Tinubu directs Security Chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri, says country won’t succumb to fear •ADC asks president to return home •Northern governors call for urgent action to end terrorism •Change your strategy, Atiku tells Tinubu •Cancel any planned trips to visit affected communities – Obi •Give priority to security, not 2027 – Ndume
THE multiple bomb blasts that shook Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Monday as well as the resurgence of insurgency in parts of the country have sparked outrage and barrage of condemnations from various parts of the country.
This comes as the police command in Borno confirmed 23 persons killed and 108 injured during the multiple explosions.
President Bola Tinubu, before he departed Abuja for the United Kingdom, directed Security Chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge, saying that his administration would not succumb to fear and is determined to locate terrorists, confront them, and completely defeat them.
The blasts occurred at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and two local markets, known as Post Office and Monday Market.
The president, in a personally signed statement on Tuesday to sympathise with the Borno State government and victims of the explosions, maintained that “Nigeria will not succumb to fear,” and that he had “directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation.”
Tinubu recalled his recent measures to combat terrorists, which include approval of additional equipment and operational support to enhance the capabilities of the military, and assured Nigerians that his administration would continue to intensify efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be.
His statement read: “The recent news from Maiduguri, Borno State, is profoundly upsetting. I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time.
“I want to make it categorically clear that these acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instill and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces and security agencies operating in various theatres.
We will continue to intensify our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be.”
The president commended the courage and fighting spirit of the patriotic troops who successfully repelled the coordinated attacks by the terrorists on military positions in the state.
In a swift reaction to the unfortunate incident, the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), enjoined the president to charge his strategy towards the fight against insecurity.
In a statement by his media office on Tuesday, Atiku said he was “very sad at the latest terrorist attacks in Borno State and the resurfacing of suicide bombing that were hitherto defeated.”
He said the increased waves of killing of soldiers and civilians by terrorists is reviving sad memories of 2014 when Boko Haram was most active in the country.
“While I commend the sacrifices of our servicemen in the conduct of unconventional warfare, the Tinubu administration should review its strategies. The resurgence of terrorism is capable of eroding public confidence in the ability of the government to protect its own citizens.
“Nigerians are not impressed with the government’s statements condemning terrorist attacks. They are more concerned about results. Results speak louder than the tough government’s rhetoric.”
Atiku said the Tinubu government appeared to be more obsessed with crushing opposition politicians than fixing the worsening security challenges, noting that despite Tinubu’s so-called marching orders, the terrorists were still on the offensive.
The former vice president said that tackling insecurity is a major yardstick in judging the competence of any government and that President Tinubu must be held to the same standards that he subjected other leaders to.
“One of the problems of the Tinubu administration is that the opinions of sycophants who hide the truth from the president are more respected than the opinions of well-meaning citizens who offer honest advice,” he said.
He advised the president to open his mind to honest advice and be wary of sycophants.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, also said such a grave national emergency required immediate presence, attention, and action.
He said it was crucial to cancel any planned trips to visit affected communities in favour of prioritising efforts to safeguard lives.
These moments, he noted, test not only the nation’s security architecture but also the very essence of leadership.
His post titled A Nation Under Siege’ read: “The nation is once again engulfed in grief and outrage following the horrific explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State, yesterday.
These tragic events serve as a painful reminder of how far we have strayed from the fundamental duty of governance: the protection of lives and property.
“The fact that several innocent Nigerians can be killed in multiple coordinated attacks, with over a hundred others injured in vulnerable places like markets and near hospitals, highlights a troubling reality. The silence from our nation in response to such atrocities indicates a disturbing normalization of insecurity rather than a decisive confrontation with the issue.
“In light of recent attacks in Kwara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Plateau, Sokoto, Benue, and even within the Federal Capital Territory, the pattern of insecurity is deeply concerning. In some regions, such as Katsina, there are alarming reports of communities being coerced into paying a ‘Peace Tax’ to armed groups just to avoid further attacks and ensure their survival.
“During this time of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, as well as those who are injured and fighting to recover. May God grant eternal rest to the departed, comfort the bereaved, and provide strength and healing to all affected.
“We cannot continue down this path. Our nation must rise to protect its citizens with urgency, responsibility, and compassion. A new Nigeria is possible,” the post @Peter Obi read.
Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Tuesday commiserated with victims of blasts, describing the attacks as heinous, condemnable, and unfortunate.
The Speaker said it was unfortunate that the suspected terrorists continued with their destructive activities, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
He stated that it has further confirmed that the terrorists are not only against Islam but also humanity.
While calling for collective efforts towards ending terrorism, banditry, and other crimes in Nigeria, Hon. Tajudeen urged the security forces to step up action against crimes and criminality.
In the same vein, the former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has advised the Federal Government to give priority to security, not 2027 stressing that people that will vote are dying.
The Senator representing Borno South in a statement on Tuesday appealed to the Tinubu administration to play down on the politics of 2027 and focus on governance, particularly the security of lives and property and welfare of the citizenry.
He said:“We seem to have abandoned the people for politics. The people that will vote are dying. President Tinubu should concentrate on governance. He should address safety of Nigerians and their welfare first. If there is no improvement in their welfare and security, the government becomes their enemy.
“He should walk his talks on this emergency on security. The people should see that he is addressing their welfare.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has equally called on President Tinubu to urgently return to the country and attend to his primary job of protecting lives.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, the party condemned the blasts and raised concerns about what it described as a lack of leadership focus at a critical moment.
The party said the protection of lives and property must take precedence over political distractions and diplomatic ceremonies.
It, however, commended the courage of first responders and security personnel who are working to assist the injured and restore calm.
Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has also condemned the attack, describing them as heinous, barbaric and a direct assault on innocent lives.
In a statement issued in his capacity as chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Governor Yahaya expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, extending his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Borno State, particularly families who lost their loved ones.
He also sympathized with victims receiving treatment in various hospitals and prayed for their quick recovery.
In the same vein, Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has condemned in the strongest terms the explosions that occurred in some parts of the state capital on Monday evening.
Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj, described the attack as despicable, cruel, and cowardly, targeting innocent people in the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Daudalliya, called for increased vigilance and heightened security measures, particularly in places of worship, as the festive period beckons.