The former governor of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has denounced the bomb explosions that struck Maiduguri on Monday night.
The Borno state police command said 23 persons were killed, while 108 others sustained injuries in the blasts that hit three locations in the state capital.
The explosions, which went off at about 7:24pm on Monday, affected a major market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover.
The incident triggered outrage online as videos from the scene circulated on X.
Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, condemned the attacks, describing them as “barbaric and inhumane”.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kwankwaso expressed deep concern over the attacks, saying they signal a troubling resurgence of mindless bombings threatening peace in northern Nigeria.
“I am deeply saddened by the horrific multiple suicide bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed the lives of 23 innocent people and injured over 100 others, as confirmed by the Nigeria Police Force,” Kwankwaso wrote on X.
“These latest attacks, following other recent incidents in Borno, signal a disturbing resurgence of senseless terrorism that threatens the peace our communities have struggled so hard to rebuild after years of relative calm. This cannot be tolerated.”
The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) called for decisive military action against the terrorists.
“Now is not the time for defensiveness or complacency,” he said.
“Our gallant armed forces must be fully empowered to take decisive, proactive action against these enemies of Nigeria.”
Kwankwaso added that both federal and state governments must make every effort to provide the necessary resources and support to enable troops decisively dismantle terrorist networks.
“My heart goes out to the bereaved families, the injured, and all the people of Borno State. I extend my deepest condolences to the government and citizens of Borno during this difficult time,” he said.