Maiduguri Explosions: How UNIMAID professors narrowly escaped being killed

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Monday 16th March, 2026 is a day that will remain fresh in the minds of every resident of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, following the triple suicide bombings that erupted at three separate locations, in the heart of the metropolis, killing 23 persons with 108 injured. The explosions occurred at the busy Monday Market, Post Office general area and the main entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) at about 7pm as muslims were breaking their fast.

The casualty figure was given by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Keneth Daso, but many people disputed it, claiming the death toll was higher than 23.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede has also warned that terrorist attacks would continue to occur unless the residents stop being informants to the terrorists, working with them and even being part of them.

Already, the Vice- President, Senator Kashim Shettima, accompanied by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mrs. Zubaira Umar was at UMTH last Wednesday where they provided medical consumables, food items and cash to the victims and their families.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu were also on ground on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take charge of the situation.

The suicide attack at the UMTH Gate nearly caused the lives of some Professors and friends of the Chief Medical Director, Professor Ahmed Ahijo as they narrowly escaped the blast after they were hosted for the breaking of fast at the CMD’s official residence on that Monday.

It was not the first time that the Monday Market and Post Office general area situated at the city centre of Maiduguri Metropolis would witness bomb blasts or suicide attacks, as such calamities were recorded there several times in the past since the beginning of Boko Haram crisis in 2009, leaving many people dead, with others incapacitated or deformed due to severe injuries sustained. Many lives were lost as a result of planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by the terrorists or suicide attacks at both locations.

Apart from the suicide attacks and bombings, physical assaults of shooting and killings by terrorists also took place at the Post Office general area and within the Monday Market, especially during the peak of the crisis.

According to a source, many Professors and friends of the UMTH boss jumped over the wall with their back when one of the bomb explosions erupted at the gate of the hospital few minutes after they left CMD’s residence while others were approaching the gate, even as some were still at the CMD’s house after breaking their fast.

Another source said one of the friends of the CMD (names withheld) could not make it as he lost his life in the blast immediately he got to the exit gate of the hospital.

Also, one of the Professors at the University of Maiduguri who was amongst the invitees, told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that he narrowly escaped the blast.

He said, “I am among the lucky ones who narrowly escaped the suicide attack at the main entrance of the UMTH. We came on the request of the CMD to break our fast in his house, and immediately after, something told me in my mind that I should stay back for sometime.

“But I decided to leave as I needed to go home and do one or two things. Then, all of a sudden, one minute after I drove my car away from the University gate, I just heard a loud sound of a blast -Booooom! I had no option than to increase my speed. When I reached my house, I learnt that a suicide attack took place at the gate of the hospital. I thank God for sparing my life indeed”, he said.

CDS blames Borno, Yobe people for aiding Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists

Meanwhile, in a shocking revelation, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede has accused some residents of being responsible for the perpetration of terrorist attacks by serving as informants to the terrorists. He alleged that some people choose to be complicit by sabotaging efforts of the ongoing military operations in the region. The CDS said, intelligence reports at his disposal revealed that most of the people perpetrating the killings and destruction in the last 15 years of Boko Haram crisis were from the affected states.

Oluyede made the revelation in an interview soon after a closed door meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, the Theatre Commander, North East Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar and other top military brass in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

He said: “We are here to review our strategies in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the North East. As you are aware, in the last one month, there were attacks launched by terrorists which is their usual tactic during the holy month of Ramadan Kareem.

“But these challenges are not new as we are on top of the situation. It is unfortunate that most of the people perpetrating these heinous acts are from these states. They are our brothers, sisters and cousins. We know them. Let me give you an example, when Kukawa was attacked, while we were conducting cordon and search afterwards, we discovered that two of the wounded terrorists were inside that village. Therefore the people in these two states, Borno and Yobe must take ownership of this war”. Oluyede stated.

On the new tactics used by terrorists to launch attacks using drones and other technological weapons, the CDS reiterated that the military was aware and on top of the situation, as the Nigerian military is now adopting German Drones.

Shettima, DG NEMA pay sympathy visit to victims

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Hajiya Zubaida Umar had on Wednesday paid sympathy visit to the victims receiving treatment at the UMTH.

Already, the CMD had revealed that 25 persons died in the hospital, while over 70 victims were still on admission, as many were treated and discharged.

Addressing Journalists after seeing some of the victims at the Trauma Centre, VP Shettima

commiserated with the Government, the people of Borno state and the North East, especially families of those who lost their loved ones during the suicide attacks.

His words: “It’s a tragedy, because no religion sanctioned the killings of the innocent. But this madness called Boko Haram would not live to see the light of the day. I don’t even consider them as members of the human race. But be rest assured that no matter how long the night is, it must give way to the light of the dawn”.

NEMA DG delivers support

On the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) delivered medical consumables and assorted medicaments to support the treatment of persons injured in the explosions. The Agency also provided food and non-food items for families of those affected by the incident.

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