Maiduguri Attacks: “Nigeria will not succumb to fear,” Tinubu talks tough

By Paul Dada

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigeria will not succumb to fear following the Monday evening explosions that rocked Maiduguri, and which led to at least 23 deaths.

In a statement issued from the State House on Tuesday, the president mourned those who lost their lives and extended solidarity to the injured and affected communities.

“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.T

Tinubu denounced the attacks as desperate acts by criminal and terrorist elements. “I want to make it categorically clear that these acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instil and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces and security agencies operating in various theatres,” the president added.

Praising  the resilience of the nation’s troops, Tinubu said, I must commend the courage and fighting spirit of our patriotic troops who successfully repelled the coordinated attacks by these terrorists on military positions in the state.”

Describing Monday’s assaults as “desperate acts of the evil-minded terrorist groups,” Tinubu assured that the military and civilian task forces would “curtail and put them down.”

The president also outlined measures taken to strengthen security. “Just last weekend, during a security meeting with leaders of security and intelligence agencies, I approved additional equipment and operational support to enhance their capabilities. This effort is already in progress,” he said.

He said that security chiefs had been directed to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation and ordered emergency agencies to care for the injured. “There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them,” Tinubu said firmly.

Read the full statement below:

STATEHOUSE STATEMENT

PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMISERATES WITH THE BORNO PEOPLE OVER RECENT TERROR STRIKES

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.

I want to make it categorically clear that these acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instil and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces and security agencies operating in various theatres.

We will continue to intensify our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be.

I must commend the courage and fighting spirit of our patriotic troops who successfully repelled the coordinated attacks by these terrorists on military positions in the state.

The Monday attacks were desperate acts of the evil-minded terrorist groups. Our gallant military and civilian task forces will curtail and put them down.

Just last weekend, during a security meeting with leaders of security and intelligence agencies, I approved additional equipment and operational support to enhance their capabilities. This effort is already in progress.

Additionally, I have directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation. I have also directed the emergency agencies to provide proper care for the injured.

There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them.

Nigeria will not succumb to fear.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR

President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

March 17, 2026