Ramadan terror: Multiple blasts rock Maiduguri after Iftar

Residents of Maiduguri were gripped by panic on Monday evening, March 16, 2026, as multiple explosions rocked the city shortly after the breaking of the Ramadan fast, targeting key areas including the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the Monday Market

Deafening explosions shattered the evening calm in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday, March 16, 2026, shortly after residents had concluded their sunset prayers and broken their Ramadan fast. Suspected Boko Haram insurgents reportedly detonated multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in high-traffic locations, including the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), the Monday Market Roundabout, and the El-Kanemi area. The first blast was heard at approximately 7:00 pm, triggering widespread chaos as traders and worshippers fled for safety in the darkness.

The coordinated bombings occurred just hours after a fierce skirmish on the outskirts of the city, where terrorists launched a late-afternoon assault on a military outpost in Ajilari. During that encounter, the insurgents reportedly set fire to military structures and escaped with a patrol vehicle; however, Nigerian troops successfully repelled the main force, neutralizing several militants while others retreated with gunshot wounds. Security analysts believe the subsequent IED attacks within the city center may have been a retaliatory strike intended to distract security forces and inflict civilian casualties during the holy month.

While the exact number of casualties from the Monday evening blasts remains unconfirmed, emergency responders and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were seen evacuating several bloodied victims to nearby medical facilities. The Borno State Police Command has cordoned off the affected zones, and a heightened security presence is visible across the metropolis to prevent further incursions. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements as the military continues its search and rescue operations in the Ajilari-Maiduguri axis.

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