Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has revealed that two suspected suicide bombers remain unaccounted for following a series of deadly explosions in Maiduguri, the state capital.
The governor made this known during an interview with BBC News Pidgin on Friday while reacting to the coordinated attacks that shook the city earlier in the week.
According to Zulum, intelligence reports indicated that five suicide bombers infiltrated Maiduguri. So far, three of them have carried out attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs), leaving two others still on the run.
The explosions, which occurred on Monday evening, struck three different locations simultaneously — the Post Office area, the busy Monday Market axis, and the entrance gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The attacks happened at a sensitive time, just as many Muslim residents were preparing to break their Ramadan fast.
Authorities confirmed that at least 23 people lost their lives, while about 100 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the blasts. Security agencies have attributed the attacks to Boko Haram, which has been responsible for a prolonged insurgency in the region.
Speaking on the situation, Zulum assured residents that security forces are actively tracking the remaining suspects and working to prevent further attacks. He emphasized that efforts are underway to neutralize the threat posed by the two bombers still at large.
“We have credible intelligence that five suicide bombers entered Maiduguri. Three have already detonated their devices, while security agencies are currently pursuing the remaining two,” the governor stated.
Zulum, who was reportedly in Saudi Arabia when the incident occurred, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He extended his condolences to the victims and their families, describing the attack as heartbreaking.
Reassuring residents, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in the state, stressing that ongoing security operations would continue until the threat is fully contained.
