Scores killed and injured in Nigeria bomb attacks

Bombs exploded in at least three places in Borno state in northeastern Nigeria, killing and injuring many people.
On Monday, explosions were heard in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno state, where indigenous jihadist Boko Haram militants have been waging an insurgency for more than a decade.
Emergency services told The Associated Press they may have been suicide bombs.
According to Sirajo Abdullahi, head of operations at the Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency (Nema in Maiduguri), the explosions occurred at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and two local markets known as the Post Office and Monday Market.
“There are injured people and they are still being cared for in the hospital,” Abdullahi said.
“We can’t give the real number unless we count.”
No group has yet claimed responsibility.
The Nigerian military said earlier that it had repelled attacks by suspected Islamist militants on the outskirts of Maiduguri in the early hours of Monday.
For years, Nigeria has been struggling with a complex security crisis caused by different armed groups, especially in the northern part of the country.
Jihadist extremist groups, including Boko Haram and an affiliate, have been blamed for massive attacks this month targeting Nigeria’s military bases in the country’s northeast.
But attacks on Maiduguri in Borno state, the epicenter of Nigeria’s 17-year fight against armed extremists, have been rare in recent years following military operations.
Borno Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said in a statement on Monday that he condemned the explosions in the strongest terms.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured in the explosion,” Zulum said.
“This action is absolutely reprehensible, barbaric and inhumane.”
He urged residents to remain calm, continue their usual activities and report any suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.
