Bombings in Nigeria kill 23, injure 108; Boko Haram suspected

March 17 (UPI) -- Suspected suicide bombings in Nigeria have killed at least 23 and injured 108 in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

The bombings hit a post office, a weekly market and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital within minutes of each other at around 7:30 p.m. WAT Monday, police said. No group has claimed responsibility, but a spokesperson for the Nigerian military said the attacks were from Boko Haram, a terrorist group.

"The cowardly attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt by the terrorists to inflict mass casualties and create panic within the metropolis," The New York Times reported Lt. Col. Sani Uba said in a statement Monday.

Boko Haram militants killed 75 Muslims in attacks on two villages in Kwara, Nigeria, in February after locals rejected calls to surrender. The group often kidnaps children and staff from schools.

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"Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were ​carried out by suspected suicide bombers," Borno police said in a statement. They said they are investigating to determine the identity of the attackers.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu called the attacks "profoundly upsetting" and the "desperate acts of the evil-minded terrorist groups," BBC reported. He said he ordered security chiefs to go to Maiduguri and take charge.

Modu Bukar, a resident who witnessed the market blast and helped take victims to hospital, said, "We were sitting when we suddenly heard a loud explosion. Everyone immediately started running in fear. As we ran, people kept shouting that we should keep going," The BBC reported.

The blasts happened as people were gathering to break their Ramadan fasts.

"I can't believe how a group which says it's fighting a religious cause be killing innocent people during Ramadan," Zannah Musa, 38, of Maiduguri, said in a phone interview with The Times. His sister is injured and in a hospital from the attacks. "Just look at the number of people affected," Musa said.

Nigeria recently boosted its security against militants with the help of U.S. military experts. But attacks have recently increased from Boko Haram and a splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province.

Borno Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is on a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. He told people to stay calm and said there were measures in place to stop further security issues, The Times reported. He said he would "participate in special prayers with fellow Muslims in the Holy Land for an end to this protracted conflict."

Historic March moments through the years

Founder of the Women's Tennis Association and tennis great Billie Jean King (C) smiles with representatives after speaking during an annual Women's History Month event in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX in Statuary Hall at the U.S .Capitol in Washington on March 9, 2022. Women's History Month is celebrated every March. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo