The aftermath of Monday’s coordinated bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State, has left the city reeling, with the death toll now at 26 and hospitals struggling to meet a critical shortage of blood for the injured.
The attacks, which struck around 7 p.m. at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, Monday Market roundabout, and the Post Office, rank among the deadliest in recent years. Emergency responders and medical staff are battling to save lives amid overwhelmed facilities.
The Nigerian Army has warned residents to stay vigilant, cautioning that multiple suicide bombers may have been deployed. Lt. Col. Sani Uba, spokesman for Operation HADIN KAI, described the attacks as “carefully coordinated to inflict maximum casualties,” adding that troops and security units acted swiftly to secure affected areas.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 146 people were injured, with many receiving treatment at UMTH and other hospitals across Maiduguri. However, health workers say the shortage of blood supplies is hampering life-saving efforts, compounded by the ongoing Ramadan fast limiting potential donors.
“Please, if you or anyone you know can donate blood, kindly reach out immediately. Your support can save a life,” posted a victim’s relative on social media. Nurses and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have echoed urgent appeals for donations, condemning the attack on a medical facility as “painful and unacceptable.”
Families and residents have questioned official casualty figures, suggesting the true toll could be higher. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences of the blasts, with many describing scenes of chaos, injuries, and frantic efforts to bring victims to hospitals.
Political and security leaders have reacted. President Bola Tinubu ordered service chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to intensify counter-terror operations, affirming that Nigeria will not bow to terror. Vice President Kashim Shettima condemned the killings, emphasizing the sanctity of human life.
Criticism, however, has emerged over the government’s response. Senator Ali Ndume urged authorities to prioritize security over politics, while security expert Dr. Yahuza Getso described the directive for service chiefs to relocate as ineffective. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others have called for a review of the country’s security strategy amid concerns over renewed violence in the North-East.
Meanwhile, the immediate crisis continues in Maiduguri’s hospitals, where doctors and families race against time, hoping that enough blood donations arrive to save the injured and prevent further loss of life.
