How Vigilant Security Foiled Deadly Hospital Bomb Plot in Maiduguri

Fresh details have emerged on how three teenagers attempted to bomb parts of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital using explosives hidden inside a food flask.

The plan was foiled after alert security personnel intercepted them at the hospital gate.
Investigations showed that the teenagers specifically targeted the main hospital complex, an area often crowded with patients, staff, and visitors. Security sources revealed that the attackers intended to carry out what could have been one of the deadliest assaults in recent times.
Instead, the explosives detonated at the hospital entrance on March 16 after security officials denied them entry.
The explosions resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people and left 108 others injured across different attack locations in Maiduguri that same day.
A hospital security officer, Ali Musa, who narrowly escaped death, said the suspects appeared to be between 13 and 14 years old.
He explained that the trio arrived at the hospital gate in a tricycle, posing as relatives bringing food to a patient.
“We had just received news of a blast at the post office and immediately strengthened security,” Musa said. “Only two of us were on duty while others had gone to break their fast.”
According to him, the suspects approached the gate at high speed and ignored instructions to slow down for routine checks, raising suspicion.
“They looked unkempt and came in recklessly. I stopped them and asked them to turn back. They hesitated at first but eventually reversed, all the while staring at me in a disturbing way,” he said.
While reversing, one of the teenagers threw the food flask toward him.
“I kicked it away, and it exploded immediately. I fell to the ground, and my hand was injured by the blast,” Musa added.
He said that when he tried to assist his female colleague, he found her with a broken leg, while a nearby Almajiri boy was also injured.
“As I dragged her to safety, another explosion occurred close by. I jumped into a flower garden, but both my legs were injured,” he said.
A nearby shop owner, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed the incident, noting that the attackers clearly intended to target the hospital building.
Authorities have yet to release a separate casualty figure specifically linked to the hospital explosion.
Later that same day, at about 7:05 p.m., another explosion struck Monday Market. Eyewitnesses suggested the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest, with some victims reportedly burnt beyond recognition.
A saleswoman identified as Fati described the chaos that followed.
“That night was terrifying. I ran home immediately after hearing the explosion. Later, we heard about a boy whose body was completely shattered. People believed he was the bomber because he was more severely affected than others,” she said.
The series of attacks prompted President Bola Tinubu to direct all service chiefs to temporarily relocate to Borno State to address the renewed insurgent threats. Following the order, 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.