President Bola Tinubu is facing fierce criticism from opposition parties and political leaders following deadly bomb attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State, which killed at least 23 people and left 108 others injured.
The attacks, as gathered by ENigeria Newspaper, occurred on Monday evening, targeted crowded locations including the Monday Market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate and the Post Office Flyover. Police said the explosions, believed to have been carried out by suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers, happened around 7:24 pm.
Confirming the casualty figures, police spokesperson Kenneth Daso said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
“Regrettably, a total of 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”
The incident has since triggered a wave of backlash against the president, who is now abroad on a state visit to the United Kingdom just immediately after the attacks.
PDP berates President Tinubu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the administration of failing to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity. In a statement by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the party said:
“This bombing is an unfortunate addition to the numerous acts of grave insecurity that have occurred under the watch of President Bola Tinubu, who was the loudest campaign voice for the APC, promising to end insecurity immediately if his party is elected.
“Sadly, 11 years later, insecurity has not only increased significantly in the Northeastern part of Nigeria; it has spread almost uncontrollably to many other parts of the country that were hitherto very safe and peaceful.
“Despite this glaring failure, the APC-led Presidency has devoted more time, energy, and resources to the task of political genocide against the opposition, instead of deploying the same to combat the growing insecurity that has become the lived reality and new normal of Nigerians.”
ADC urges Tinubu to take charge
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) criticised the president’s absence from the country, urging him to return immediately and take charge of the situation.
“Moments like this demand the full and undivided attention of the nation’s leadership. It is therefore troubling that the President is currently outside the country at a time when such a serious attack on national security occurred.
“This is not leadership. It is a dangerous distraction, and it is costing lives.
“Instead, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is abroad, exchanging pleasantries with the King and Queen of England while Nigerians mourn and soldiers are being buried.”
The party added: “The protection of lives and property is the most basic responsibility of any government. It cannot be treated as secondary to political distractions or competing priorities.”
‘A grave national emergency’ – Peter Obi to presidency
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also condemned the attacks, describing them as evidence of government failure.
“The fact that innocent Nigerians can be killed in multiple coordinated attacks, with many others injured, shows how far we have strayed from the fundamental duty of governance.”
He warned against growing complacency, adding: “This is a grave national emergency that requires immediate presence, attention and action.”
Northern voices – Ali Ndume and Northern Governor’s Forum
Senator Ali Ndume urged the president to prioritise security over politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
“President Tinubu should concentrate on governance. He should address the safety of Nigerians and their welfare first.
“If there is no improvement in their welfare and security, the government becomes their enemy.”
Ndume also called for stronger investigations into the attack, noting: “Perpetrators of the Maiduguri bombings must be arrested… I learnt that one of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was detonated from a tricycle… investigation will expose the owner and that may help in identifying those behind the explosions.”
Meanwhile, the military under Operation HADIN KAI said the attacks were aimed at causing mass casualties and panic, adding that troops and security agencies responded swiftly to secure affected areas and assist victims.
Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Gombe State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, condemned the incident as “heinous, barbaric and a direct assault on innocent lives.”
“This senseless act of violence is not only reprehensible but a cruel attempt to instill fear and disrupt the fragile peace being restored in the North-East. It is an attack on our collective humanity and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
Security agencies have since intensified patrols, while bomb disposal units conducted sweeps across affected locations to prevent further attacks.
Presidency responds, deploys service chiefs to Maiduguri
Meanwhile, security leaders have moved to the capital of Borno State, Maiduguri, to oversee the security situation in the wake of Monday night’s coordinated suicide blasts that left 23 people dead and 108 injured.
The attacks are “desperate and frantic attempts” by terrorist elements under continuous pressure from security authorities, according to President Bola Tinubu, who issued the order for the urgent transfer on Tuesday.
“I have directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation. I have also directed the emergency agencies to provide proper care for the injured,” the President stated.
