Coordinated Bombings Rock Maiduguri, Kill 25 as Market Shock Raises Economic Fears
Story: written by Zara March 18,2026
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has been thrown into mourning following a wave of coordinated suicide bombings that claimed at least 25 lives and left 146 others injured. The attacks, blamed on Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, struck key locations simultaneously, including the Monday Market roundabout, the Post Office vicinity, and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The assaults, which occurred during the closing days of Ramadan, have triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over Nigeria’s security framework.
Beyond the tragic loss of lives, analysts warn of severe economic repercussions. The Monday Market, regarded as the largest daily commercial hub in the North East, serves not only Nigeria but also neighbouring countries such as Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Central African Republic, and Sudan.
Small-scale traders, who form the backbone of the region’s economy, say business activities have ground to a halt due to fear and uncertainty, with many still searching for missing relatives.
Speaking on the development, Abubakar Mohammed of the Abuja Leadership Centre, University of Abuja, stressed that security remains fundamental to development. He warned that repeated attacks could cripple the already fragile private sector in Borno and the wider North East.
He noted that the Monday Market plays a central role in supplying goods, especially ahead of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, adding that the blasts have not only caused casualties but also wiped out livelihoods and deepened economic hardship.
Local traders echoed similar fears. Business owners say partners in major commercial cities like Lagos and Kano may halt transactions if security conditions do not improve.
Meanwhile, the military task force, Operation Hadin Kai, has raised alarm over the possibility of additional attackers still operating within the city. According to Sanni Uba, terrorists often escalate attacks around the 27th and 29th days of Ramadan, targeting crowded areas to inflict maximum damage.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid crowded spaces, and cooperate with security agencies, especially in public places such as mosques, markets, transport hubs, and hospitals.
In response, President Bola Tinubu has ordered top security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to directly oversee counter-terrorism operations. He described the attacks as desperate acts by weakened insurgents, vowing that Nigeria would not yield to fear.
“We will track them, confront them, and eliminate the threat completely,” the President declared, while approving additional military resources for operations in the North East.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State have also condemned the attacks, describing them as inhumane and a grave assault on collective security.
As the region approaches Eid celebrations, tension remains high, with security forces intensifying patrols and surveillance to prevent further attacks.
