Borno Governor Zulum Condemns Barbaric Ramadan Explosions in Maiduguri Following Surge in Insurgent Activity

Governor Zulum calls for vigilance in Borno after three explosions hit Maiduguri during Ramadan, citing military pressure in Sambisa Forest as a factor.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 4:59 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Channels Television

Coordinated Blasts Strike Key Urban Locations

The security landscape in Maiduguri shifted dramatically on Monday evening as three distinct explosions detonated across strategic points within the metropolitan area. According to Police Public Relations Officer ASP Nahum Daso, preliminary findings confirmed that explosives were triggered at the Post Office district and the primary entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. While reports emerged of a third blast at the central Monday Market, official verification of that specific location remained pending as emergency teams prioritized the evacuation of casualties. Amateur footage from the scenes showed responders rushing victims to various medical facilities, highlighting the chaotic aftermath of the breach.

The Executive Response from a Distance

Governor Babagana Zulum, currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, responded to the crisis through an official statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya. The Governor characterized the acts as inhumane and cowardly, specifically noting the cruelty of targeting innocent civilians during the religious observance of Ramadan. Despite his physical absence from the state, Zulum’s administration has moved to coordinate an immediate response with the military, emphasizing that the provincial government remains fully operational in managing the fallout of the coordinated strikes.

Linkage to Ongoing Military Offensives

The administration has suggested a direct correlation between these urban attacks and the intensification of military pressure in the insurgents' traditional strongholds. Governor Zulum stated that the recent surge in metropolitan violence is likely a desperate retaliation for ongoing operations within the Sambisa Forest and other remote hideouts. This strategic interpretation frames the explosions not as a sign of insurgent strength, but as a byproduct of their displacement from established bases. According to the Governor, the military is currently maintaining a high posture to prevent further incursions into the state capital as these forest clearing operations continue.