The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has visited victims of the recent improvised explosive device (IED) blasts receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the Maiduguri Monday Market bombing site.
During the visit, the police chief also held security meetings at the Borno State Government House and the State Police Command Headquarters as part of efforts to strengthen coordinated responses to the attacks.
Disu commiserated with victims and their families, expressing sympathy over the tragedy while assuring residents of the Nigeria Police Force’s resolve to bring perpetrators to justice.
“We remain committed to dismantling all networks responsible for these attacks and preventing any recurrence,” he said.
He added that security across Maiduguri has been significantly reinforced, with increased police deployment, enhanced surveillance, and joint operational strategies to forestall further threats.
Police authorities confirmed that at least 23 people were killed in the explosions, with over 100 others injured.
The spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Kenneth-Daso, said preliminary findings indicate suicide bombers carried out the attacks.
“Regrettably, a total of twenty-three (23) persons lost their lives, while one hundred and eight (108) others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he said.
He added that a combined team of police tactical units, the military, and other security agencies has been deployed to affected areas, while emergency responders evacuated victims to hospitals for treatment.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu ordered security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation.
Condemning the attack, the president described it as a desperate attempt by terrorists to spread fear amid intensified military pressure.
“I have directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation,” Tinubu said.
He also directed emergency agencies to ensure proper care for the injured.
Describing the incident as “profoundly upsetting,” Tinubu vowed that terrorists would find no safe haven in Nigeria.
“We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them,” he said.
The president further praised the efforts of security forces in repelling coordinated attacks on military positions in the state and revealed that additional equipment and operational support have been approved to enhance their capabilities.
“This effort is already in progress,” he added.
