Monday, March 16, 2026 marked the grisly return of suicide bombing terrorism to its birthplace in Nigeria, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Though no group had, as at press time, claimed responsibility for the dastardly act, it is widely believed to be the handiwork of Islamic terrorist groups, Boko Haram and their Islamic State in West Africa, ISWA.
Not to be distracted from his scheduled official visit to King Charles of England, President Bola Tinubu jetted off to London with his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu. He, however, ordered top military chiefs, General Olufemi Oluyede and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Waidi Shuaibu, to relocate to Maiduguri.
The coordinated suicide blasts, which were staged in crowded parts of the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, MMC, such as the Monday Market, Post Office and University of Maiduguri gate, took the lives of 23 persons and injured 108. This was the first time in about two years that bomb blasts, which were very rampant in the early days of the Boko Haram terror (2012 to 2016) in the city and other parts of the North, recurred.
These jolting attacks is a wake-up call for the security agencies and all Nigerians, especially those residing in cities like Abuja and environs, to activate vigilance and safety measures to avoid an escalation, particularly now that terrorism has spread to all parts of the North.
In recent month, Islamic terrorists have increased attacks, especially against military personnel and installations in Borno State, with many reported casualties. Since the Christmas Day US bombing of terrorists’ camps in Sokoto State, apparently against groups targeting Christians and other innocent Nigerians, there has been a noticeable uptick of attacks by bandits, insurgents and jihadists across the North.
According to recent media reports, in 15 out of the 17 years that Nigeria has lived under Islamic terror, the nation has spent about N32.8 trillion on defence, mainly due to terrorism in Northern Nigeria. On arrival to Maiduguri where he spoke to officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Oluyede reminded the people that many of their indigenes were complicit in waging these wars of terror on their own people.
The collusion of not just the local people but also powerful political, religious and traditional figures in the North with the terrorists makes the valiant efforts by our military to defeat insurgency almost impossible. As long as we fold our arms and watch “sacred cows” levy terror on Nigeria for power grab or religious expansionism, for so long will this nonsense fester.
After being defeated in the Middle East, global Islamic terror networks have invaded Nigeria and environs. This is no longer a challenge for Nigeria alone. Unless Nigeria is helped to contain this menace, the entire world may soon be terrorised from Nigeria!
@Vanguard Editorial of Friday March 20, 2026
