Maiduguri Horror: 23 Dead, 108 Injured in Coordinated Bomb Attacks

The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that 23 people were killed and 108 others injured following coordinated bomb explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The Maiduguri bombings, which occurred at about 7:24 p.m. on March 16, 2026, targeted multiple high-traffic locations, including the Maiduguri Monday Market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, and the Post Office Flyover area.

According to the police spokesperson, Nahum Daso, preliminary investigations indicate that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“Regrettably, 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the statement said.

Following the explosions, a joint team of security operatives, including the police and military, was rapidly deployed to secure the affected areas. Explosive experts conducted sweep operations to detect and neutralise any additional threats, while the scenes were cordoned off to prevent further casualties.

The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmaji, also visited the locations for an on-the-spot assessment, assuring residents of intensified efforts to safeguard lives and property.

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Victims were evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to hospitals across Maiduguri where they are currently receiving treatment.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and devastation as the explosions struck within minutes of each other, suggesting a coordinated attack strategy. Residents described seeing injured victims being rushed to hospitals, while others recounted hearing loud blasts that shook nearby areas.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, condemned the attacks, describing them as “barbaric, inhumane, and cowardly.” Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, expressed condolences to victims and their families, noting that the incident occurred during the holy month of Ramadan.

He further linked the recent surge in attacks to intensified military operations targeting insurgent hideouts, particularly in the Sambisa forest, while assuring residents that security agencies are working to prevent further breaches.

Although no group has officially claimed responsibility for the Borno explosions, security experts say the pattern is consistent with previous attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, both known for targeting crowded civilian areas using suicide bombers.

Authorities say normalcy has been restored in Maiduguri, but security presence has been significantly increased across the city and surrounding areas. Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the attack and bring those responsible to justice, while urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

The Maiduguri bombings highlight the persistent security challenges in Nigeria’s North-East, despite ongoing military efforts, as authorities continue working to prevent further attacks and strengthen public safety.

Maiduguri Horror: 23 Dead, 108 Injured in Coordinated Bomb Attacks

Court Screens Video Showing NDLEA Allegedly Helping Cocaine Smugglers at Enugu Airport

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday screened a video evidence in the ongoing trial of DCP Abba Kyari and four other police officers, revealing how operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) allegedly assisted drug traffickers at Enugu Airport.

The video, tendered by the Nigeria Police Force through Inspector El‑John Nwoke, details confessions from two convicted traffickers — Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne — about their repeated smuggling of cocaine into Nigeria and how NDLEA officers reportedly cleared their luggage without proper inspection.

Inspector Nwoke told the court that the traffickers explained their handlers would send photos and descriptions of them to NDLEA officers before flights, allowing the officers to identify them upon arrival. “When we get to the checking point, they will know that we are the ones. They will open the bag, do a normal search, and say we should go,” Umeibe said in the video. Ezenwanne confirmed he had previously carried cocaine in 2021 and 2022 and that NDLEA officers had allowed them to pass through checkpoints without detection.

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The video, recorded by police on January 20, 2022, is 27 minutes long and was admitted into evidence as “Exhibit D‑3” after the court overruled objections from the NDLEA. It captures detailed confessions showing how traffickers moved cocaine via night buses after being cleared at the airport. The 21.55kg cocaine seizure by Kyari’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) followed shortly after the alleged NDLEA clearance.

Kyari, former head of the IRT, is being tried alongside ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu on charges including conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine. The case has drawn attention to alleged internal collusion within Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agencies, though NDLEA has denied any complicity.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to May 20 for continuation, including further examination of the video evidence and witness testimonies. The footage is expected to play a crucial role in determining the extent of alleged collusion between NDLEA operatives and traffickers.

The trial underscores ongoing concerns about airport security, drug enforcement effectiveness, and internal oversight within Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agencies.

Court Screens Video Showing NDLEA Allegedly Helping Cocaine Smugglers at Enugu Airport

Court to Rule on ICPC’s Request for 14‑Day Detention Extension for El‑Rufai

A Magistrate Court in Abuja is set to deliver a ruling on Tuesday, March 17, regarding the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)’s request to extend the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, by another 14 days.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Okechukwu Akweke, will decide whether to approve or reject the ICPC’s application as the anti‑graft agency continues its probe into allegations against El‑Rufai, including money laundering, abuse of office, and illegal interception of communications linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

El‑Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026, following an earlier 14‑day remand order obtained from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja. That initial remand expired on March 5, 2026, prompting ICPC to seek a fresh extension as investigations continue.

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The former governor’s legal team, relatives, and supporters have criticised the continued detention, describing it as unlawful. They argue that since the initial remand expired, El‑Rufai should either be released or formally charged before a competent court. In response, he has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, naming the ICPC, EFCC, DSS, and Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.

The ICPC maintains that it is acting within the law, insisting that the fresh 14‑day remand order is valid and necessary to conclude ongoing investigations, which involve forensic examination of electronic devices, financial records, and other evidence recovered from El‑Rufai’s Abuja residence. The agency has filed an inventory listing 67 items retrieved during the search, including laptops, phones, and storage devices.

El‑Rufai’s lawyers, however, contend that some of the searches were irregular, violating his constitutional rights, and have challenged the admissibility of the evidence in court. The FCT High Court is also considering claims for ₦1 billion in damages for alleged rights violations related to the searches.

Observers say the outcome of Tuesday’s ruling will be critical in determining whether El‑Rufai remains in ICPC custody beyond March 19, or whether he will be released or granted bail while legal proceedings continue. The case has drawn national attention, highlighting ongoing debates over anti-corruption investigations, rule of law, and the rights of former public officials.

Court to Rule on ICPC’s Request for 14‑Day Detention Extension for El‑Rufai