Bombs exploded in at least three locations in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno state on Monday night, killing and injuring scores of people, emergency services told The Associated Press. Explosions were heard in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, where the regional emergency management agency said it was considering possible suicide bombings.
The blasts struck the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and two local markets, known as Post Office and the Monday Market, Sirajo Abdullahi, head of operations at Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Maiduguri, told AP. He said the hospital was still dealing with casualties and that authorities could not provide an exact toll until they counted.
“There are casualties and they are still managing the causalities at the hospital,” Abdullahi said. “We can’t give the actual figure until we count.”
As of Monday, no group had claimed responsibility for the suspected bombings, according to the AP report. Earlier, the Nigerian military said in a statement that it had repelled attacks by suspected Islamic militants in the early hours of Monday on the outskirts of Maiduguri.
Eyewitnesses said the victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. Bagoni Alkali, who AP identified as an eyewitness, said he brought wounded people to the hospital and that more than 200 people were receiving care in the accident and emergency department.
“Right now, over 200 people have been injured and are receiving care in the accident and emergency department,” Alkali said. He added, “While I could tell you so many people have died, to be honest, many lost their lives at the scene immediately after the bomb exploded. It’s disheartening,” according to the AP report.
Mohammed Hassan, a member of a volunteer group that often assists security forces in the conflict against armed extremists, told AP he evacuated 10 bodies from the Post Office and Monday Markets. He said many victims were rushed to the emergency ward but some died at the hospital, and he said the volunteers were in urgent need of blood.
“Many victims were rushed to the emergency ward, but some died at the hospital. We’re in dire need of blood,” Hassan said. “This attack’s been one of the deadliest in Maiduguri in years,” he added.
Borno’s Governor Babagana Umara Zulum condemned the explosions in a statement Monday. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane,” Zulum said, according to AP.
In the statement, Zulum called on residents to remain calm, go about their usual activities, and report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies.