Fresh details have emerged on how three teenagers attempted to bomb parts of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital using explosives concealed inside a food flask. The plot was thwarted when vigilant security personnel intercepted the suspects at the hospital gate.
Investigations revealed that the teenage attackers had specifically targeted the main hospital complex—an area usually crowded with patients, health workers, and visitors. Security sources said the attackers intended to cause what could have been one of the deadliest assaults in recent years.
Instead, the explosives detonated at the hospital entrance on March 16 after security refused them entry.
The blasts killed no fewer than 23 people and injured 108 others across multiple attack points in Maiduguri that day.
A hospital security officer, Ali Musa, who narrowly survived, said the suspects looked like teenagers between 13 and 14 years old.
According to him, the trio arrived at the hospital gate in a tricycle (Keke Napep), pretending to be relatives bringing food to a patient.
“We had just heard about the blast at the post office and immediately tightened security,” Musa recounted. “Two of us were on duty while others had gone to break their fast.”
He said the suspects approached the gate at high speed, refusing to slow down for routine checks. Their behaviour immediately raised suspicion.
“They looked unkempt and came in at full speed, which was unusual. I stopped them and told them to go back. They resisted at first but eventually reversed. They kept staring at me with frightening looks,” he said.
While reversing, one of the teenagers hurled the food flask at him.
“I kicked the flask away—it fell and exploded instantly. I dropped to the ground, and the blast injured my hand,” he said.
When he attempted to reach his female colleague, he found her with a broken leg. A nearby Almajiri boy also lay wounded.
“As I dragged my colleague away, another explosion went off close by. I jumped into a flower garden, but both my legs were injured,” he added.
A shop owner near the hospital, who asked not to be named, confirmed the account, saying the attackers clearly intended to bomb the hospital building.
Authorities have not yet provided a separate casualty figure specifically for the hospital blast.
Meanwhile, on the same day at about 7:05 p.m., another explosion rocked Monday Market. Eyewitness accounts suggest that attack was carried out by a separate suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest. Some victims were burnt beyond recognition.
A saleswoman, who identified herself as Fati, described the panic that followed.
“That night was horrifying. I ran home as soon as I heard the blast. Later, we heard they found a boy whose body was completely shattered. People believed he was the bomber because the impact on him was worse than on others,” she said.
The series of bomb attacks prompted President Bola Tinubu to order all service chiefs to relocate temporarily to Borno State to address the resurgence of insurgent activities. Following the directive, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, arrived in Maiduguri on Wednesday, March 18, to assess the situation.
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