Dozens of people were killed and nearly 200 injured after multiple explosions rocked Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri late Monday, officials said.
The blasts occurred at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and two local markets.
Sirajo Abdullahi, head of operations at Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Maiduguri, stated, "There are casualties, and they are still managing the casualties at the hospital. We can’t give the actual figure until we count.”
No group has yet claimed responsibility for what appear to have been suicide bombings.
The attacks come amid Nigeria’s complex internal security crisis involving multiple armed groups in the north.
Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have carried out several such assaults on army bases across Borno State this month, killing troops and seizing weapons.
Earlier on Monday, Nigerian armed forces reported repelling suspected fighters on the outskirts of Maiduguri.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the bombings, saying, "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.”
An eyewitness at the scene reported, "Right now, over 200 people have been injured and are receiving care in the accident and emergency department.”
Also read: 33 killed in attacks by Nigerian armed group
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