Maiduguri Bombings Signal Resurgence of Violence, Heighten Civilian Risk
Deadly bombings in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria, have amplified grave concerns regarding a potential resurgence of violent attacks by Boko Haram and an escalating danger to civilians across the region. In the wake of these devastating incidents, which bear the hallmarks of war crimes, Nigerian authorities are urged to immediately bolster protections for the civilian population.
The attacks, which occurred on the evening of March 16, 2026, targeted crowded public spaces, including a bustling market, an area adjacent to a post office, and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Official reports indicate that 23 individuals lost their lives and 108 others sustained injuries. Given their indiscriminate nature, these assaults are considered war crimes under international law. For over a decade, the Nigerian government has been engaged in an armed conflict in northeastern Nigeria against the Boko Haram insurgent group and its splinter factions.
“These recent attacks underscore the perilous exposure of civilians in northeastern Nigeria to lethal violence, despite years of governmental security initiatives,” stated Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The reappearance of such attacks in Maiduguri is profoundly disturbing and highlights the persistent threat that armed groups pose to daily life.”
Human Rights Watch engaged with five individuals who witnessed the bombings at the post office, hospital, and market. While no armed group has formally claimed responsibility, the Nigerian military has characterized the attacks as coordinated efforts by suspected Boko Haram fighters aimed at inflicting mass casualties and instilling widespread panic. Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly known as Boko Haram, has a history of carrying out suicide bombings targeting civilian populations.
JAS experienced a significant weakening after the death of its long-time leader, Abubakar Shekau, in 2021 during clashes with the Islamic State West Africa Province, a rival splinter group. However, analysts suggest that JAS may be undergoing a resurgence, as evidenced by a series of recent attacks in the region.
In December 2025, a mosque in Maiduguri was bombed, resulting in five fatalities and marking the end of a period of relative calm. Although violence linked to Boko Haram has diminished from its peak, ongoing attacks throughout the region indicate that the insurgency remains a formidable threat. The Maiduguri bombings have consequently reignited serious security concerns.
Borno State is widely recognized as the epicenter of the insurgency, with Maiduguri serving as the primary operational hub for security responses. It is also a critical humanitarian center, hosting numerous agencies dedicated to supporting populations affected by the protracted crisis.
In 2020, Fatou Bensouda, then-Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), indicated that her office had found reasonable grounds to believe that Boko Haram, its splinter groups, and Nigerian security forces had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict. She specifically noted that “the vast majority of criminality within the situation [was] attributable to nonstate actors.” Prosecutor Bensouda ultimately decided not to proceed with a request to open a formal investigation at that time, citing factors such as limited resources, and the situation remains in the preliminary examination stage.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Attacks
Ibrahim Talba, a 35-year-old tailor, recounted his experience to Human Rights Watch. He had gone to a local restaurant opposite the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate to eat after breaking his fast during Ramadan. There, he observed an altercation between two young men in a commercial tricycle and a security guard who denied them entry for using an unauthorized vehicle. According to Talba, after a brief, intense exchange, one of the men threw a food flask at the security guard, which detonated when the guard threw it back. As Talba and others rushed towards the scene, a second explosion occurred, injuring him with shrapnel wounds to his back, legs, and stomach.
Fatima Sheriff, a 25-year-old food vendor, described how she was heading towards the hospital gate after delivering food to a staff member. She paused to take a phone call from her sister, briefly noticing the argument but being distracted by the conversation. Moments later, a deafening explosion erupted, engulfing the area in flames, and she lost consciousness. She later awoke in the hospital, physically unharmed. While there, she witnessed seven individuals brought in unconscious from the blast, including a young girl who was later pronounced dead by a doctor.
Mustafa Muhammed, a 45-year-old cap seller, sustained shrapnel injuries to his back and ribs from an explosion in front of the hospital. He recounted, “I was in the Costain area near Gwange graveyard when I heard a loud explosion from the Monday Market area. I just ran, I got on my bicycle to get home, using the road leading toward the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. While crossing the road toward the hospital, there was another explosion. I don’t even know what happened. I just saw a reddish-black cloud of smoke, and then I found myself covered in blood. The next thing I knew, I opened my eyes and I was in a hospital bed.”
Babagana Abubakar, a 39-year-old fruit seller near the post office, was attending to a customer when a loud explosion “scattered everything.” He said, “We all began running for safety without knowing where to hide. I knew it was a bomb blast because I’ve heard that sound before in Maiduguri.”
Abubakar returned to assist victims and observed individuals lying on the ground, unable to discern who was alive or dead. “I tried to help one of the injured but stepped back when I saw blood coming from his chest,” he shared. “I couldn’t continue. It was too much. I was shaking and felt cold all over. I didn’t know the victims, as I mostly sell to passersby, but I later recognized a young man who had bought bananas from me minutes before the blast among the dead by his white Real Madrid jersey.” He added that he still hears the echo of the explosion and the scene replays in his mind. The blast also resulted in the loss of his livelihood, as all his produce was destroyed and unsalvageable.
A 53-year-old civil servant was driving towards the Monday Market to purchase groceries from street vendors when he heard a loud explosion accompanied by a bright red light in the sky. He described the ensuing chaos: “After the explosion, people started running in all directions. I left my car and ran on foot, as other motorists did. After running for about 400 meters without hearing any follow-up gunshots, we stopped, realizing it likely meant there were no armed operatives at the scene. The incident has really scared me. I have never experienced anything like this since I moved here.”
Urgent Calls for Protection and Accountability
Human Rights Watch urges Nigerian authorities to promptly enhance civilian protection in high-risk areas, improve early warning and response mechanisms, and provide comprehensive support to victims and those who have suffered economic losses.
“The bombings in Maiduguri starkly reveal the extreme and ongoing danger that armed groups pose to civilians in northeastern Nigeria,” Ewang emphasized. “Nigerian authorities must urgently intensify their efforts to safeguard civilians, ensure prompt and transparent investigations, and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”
