One of the victims of the multiple explosions that rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday night, Abacha Mustapha, has recounted the terrifying moment the blast went off, leaving him seriously injured.
Bellnews reports that the explosion left many with varying degrees of injuries, including shrapnel wounds and burns, while 23 people were confirmed dead.
Mustapha, who spoke with Daily Trust from his hospital bed at Umaru Shehu Hospital, Maiduguri, said he was preparing to leave the market after the day’s activities when the explosion occurred.
According to him, the sudden blast threw people into chaos, with traders and residents scampering for safety.
Mustapha said his brother, who was with him at the time, quickly came to his aid and helped save his life.
He said, “We broke our fast and were about to leave after closing our shops when the first bomb detonated. I heard a loud sound and suddenly my neck started bleeding.
“It was chaotic. People were running in different directions. Some fell, others were shouting. I couldn’t even understand what had happened at first.
“My brother used his cloth to tie my neck to stop the bleeding before rushing me to the hospital. If not for him, I don’t know what would have happened.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the recent terrorist attacks in Maiduguri, describing the incident as painful while assuring residents of Borno State that the Federal Government will intensify efforts to defeat insurgents.
In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, the President personally signed, he sympathized with families who lost loved ones in the attacks and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
“The recent news from Maiduguri, Borno State, is profoundly upsetting. I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time,” Tinubu said.
The President described the attacks as the “final desperate and frantic attempts” by terrorists who are increasingly under pressure from Nigerian security forces.