Bombs were delivered by tricycles in Maiduguri attack – Ndume

Ali Ndume, a federal lawmaker has alleged that explosives used in the recent deadly attacks in Maiduguri, Borno state, were transported using commercial tricycles.

The attacks, which occurred on Monday evening during the breaking of the Ramadan fast, targeted busy locations including the Post Office area, Monday market, and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri teaching hospital.

This newspaper reports that at least 23 people were killed, while over 100 others sustained injuries.

Security authorities had earlier attributed the explosions to suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers deploying improvised explosive devices.

Speaking on a television programme on Thursday, Ndume said the attackers employed familiar tactics, describing their operations as a “hit-and-run” strategy.

“What they do is hit and run. They gather around, pass information around them, and then they now, most dangerously, they get information from some citizens too. They have informants within the society,” he said.

He further claimed that the explosives were concealed and transported using everyday means.

“You can imagine even the bomb that exploded, it was delivered by Keke NAPEP. They package it and give people in Keke NAPEP to deliver in specific spots,” he added.

The lawmaker warned of potential further threats, suggesting that additional explosive devices or operatives could still be active.

He identified weak intelligence gathering as a major challenge, stating, “The problem is lack of adequate intelligence.”

Ndume also expressed concern over the growing boldness of insurgents, alleging that they document and circulate their activities on social media platforms.

“You can imagine the bandits, the terrorists in Nigeria have the audacity to be recording their atrocities on TikTok and then disperse and sending it out to people,” he said.

He argued that if security agencies can track ordinary citizens’ mobile devices, similar capabilities should be deployed to monitor and disrupt terrorist operations.