President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed grief over the recent attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State, where multiple explosions rocked parts of the city, leaving several people dead and others injured.
The incidents, which occurred on Monday evening shortly after residents broke their fast, targeted locations including the Post Office area and the vicinity of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, according to preliminary reports.
Reacting to the development, the President described the situation as deeply distressing, extending condolences to victims’ families and expressing solidarity with residents of the state.
“The recent news from Maiduguri, Borno State, is profoundly upsetting. I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
He framed the attacks as signs of mounting pressure on insurgent groups, portraying them as desperate attempts to spread fear amid ongoing military operations across multiple fronts.
“I want to make it categorically clear that these acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instil and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces and security agencies operating in various theatres,” the President said.
Even so, he maintained that security efforts would be stepped up nationwide, with a clear message that there would be no safe haven for those behind the violence.
“We will continue to intensify our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be,” he added.
The President also acknowledged the response of security forces, praising troops for repelling coordinated attacks on military positions in the state and commending their resilience in the face of renewed threats.
“I must commend the courage and fighting spirit of our patriotic troops who successfully repelled the coordinated attacks by these terrorists on military positions in the state,” he noted.
Describing the incidents as “desperate acts” by extremist groups, he expressed confidence in the combined efforts of the military and civilian task forces to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
“The Monday attacks were desperate acts of the evil-minded terrorist groups. Our gallant military and civilian task forces will curtail and put them down,” he said.
Beyond immediate reactions, the President pointed to steps already taken to strengthen security operations, including the approval of additional equipment and operational support following a recent meeting with security and intelligence chiefs. He noted that deployment of these resources is already underway.
He also directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to coordinate response efforts on ground, while emergency agencies have been tasked with providing adequate care for the injured.
“There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them,” the President stated.
Ending on a note of reassurance, he emphasised that the country would not be cowed by acts of terror. “Nigeria will not succumb to fear,” he said.