New information has surfaced on how three teenagers allegedly attempted to carry out a bomb attack at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, using a food flask to conceal explosives before they were intercepted by security operatives at the facility’s gate.
Investigations by Saturday PUNCH revealed that the suspects had planned to infiltrate the hospital’s main complex, an action that could have led to significant casualties among patients, staff, and visitors.
The attempt was thwarted at the entrance when security personnel refused them access, resulting in explosions that occurred at the gate on March 16.
Reports indicated that at least 23 people lost their lives, while 108 others sustained various injuries in the incident.
A security officer at the hospital, Ali Musa, narrated that the suspects, believed to be teenagers, tried to beat security checks in order to gain entry into the hospital premises with the concealed devices.
He explained that the trio arrived in a tricycle, popularly called Keke Napep, carrying a food flask in a manner that suggested they were visiting or bringing food to admitted patients.
According to Musa, security had already been tightened following news of an earlier explosion at a nearby post office.
“We were on high alert and had reinforced checks. At the time, only two of us were stationed at the gate while others were away on break,” he said.
He noted that the suspects approached the gate at an unusual speed, which immediately aroused suspicion.
“Visitors are expected to slow down for screening, but they drove in recklessly. I stopped them and instructed them to turn back. Although they resisted at first, they later complied, but their behaviour remained suspicious,” he added.
Musa further stated that one of the teenagers threw the flask toward him as they attempted to reverse.
“I kicked it away, and shortly after, there was a loud explosion. I immediately took cover but sustained injuries to my hand,” he said.
He added that he later discovered his colleague with a broken leg, while another victim lay on the ground.
“As I tried to assist her, another explosion occurred nearby, forcing me to seek cover again. I also suffered injuries to my legs,” he said.
A trader operating near the hospital, who requested anonymity, confirmed the incident, noting that the attackers appeared determined to cause destruction within the facility.
As of press time, authorities had yet to provide a separate casualty figure specifically linked to the hospital blast.
Meanwhile, another explosion recorded at the Monday Market later that evening, around 7:05 pm, was suspected to have been carried out by a different bomber using an explosive vest.
An eyewitness, identified as Fati, described the incident as frightening, stating that she fled immediately after hearing the explosion.
She added that reports later suggested a young boy, believed to be the carrier of the explosive device, suffered the most severe impact.
Following the attacks, President Bola Tinubu ordered service chiefs to relocate to Borno State in response to the worsening security situation.
In compliance with the directive, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, arrived in Maiduguri on Wednesday to oversee security efforts and assess the situation.
