2027: Explosions in Maiduguri Raise Questions About Tinubu's Handling of Security

President Bola Tinubu has been confronted with a devastating security crisis following the tragic loss of four brothers who stepped out to buy eyeglasses for Sallah in Maiduguri and never returned, a heartbreaking incident that has sparked widespread grief and outrage ahead of the 2027 elections.

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The brothers' disappearance was a result of the Maiduguri attacks, which have brought to the forefront the rising tide of terror deaths and the government's inability to provide adequate security, leaving many to wonder if the current administration is capable of protecting its citizens.

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In the quiet neighbourhood of Gwange Sabon Layi, Ba Musa sits in a house that has been forever changed by the loss of his four sons, whose new shoes, bought just days earlier, remain untouched and lined up against the wall, a poignant reminder of what has been lost.

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The explosions that tore through the city on March 16, killing at least 23 people and injuring over 100, have left an indelible mark on the community, with the official toll only telling part of the story, as for Ba Musa, the loss of his sons is a devastating blow that can never be fully quantified.

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A neighbour and fellow trader recalled the tragic events of that night, saying, "They came to buy eyeglasses for Sallah, the blast killed all of them," a stark reminder of the senseless violence that has been unleashed upon the city.

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The receipt for the shoes is still tucked inside one of the boxes, a small but significant reminder of the lives that were lost, and the dreams that will never be fulfilled, as the family struggles to come to terms with their new reality.

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At Umaru Shehu Ultramodern Hospital, Abacha Mustapha is slowly learning to come to terms with his new reality, after his brother saved his life by applying pressure to his wound and rushing him to the hospital, where he is now recovering from his injuries.

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Mustapha's story is just one of many, as over 100 people were injured in the attacks, with some estimates putting the number as high as 146, a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of the violence that has gripped the city.

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The attacks, which came between 7:00 pm and 7:24 pm, just as families were breaking their fast, were a stark reminder of the ongoing security crisis in the city, as three blasts ripped through civilian targets, leaving death and destruction in their wake.

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Just 24 hours earlier, troops had repelled coordinated assaults on military formations across Borno State, but the attackers returned, bypassing the frontlines and striking the city itself, leaving many to wonder if the government is capable of providing adequate security for its citizens.

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For residents of Maiduguri, the shift in tactics by the attackers is a significant concern, as the city had been slowly returning to a sense of normalcy, with markets staying open longer and movement improving, but that fragile calm has now been shattered.

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President Bola Tinubu has condemned the attacks and approved additional support for the military, while also ordering service chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri, but for many, these measures may be too little, too late, as the city struggles to come to terms with the latest wave of violence.

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Vice President Kashim Shettima visited victims of the attacks, promising a tougher response, but for many, the question remains, what will it take for the government to finally get a grip on the security crisis that has plagued the city for so long.

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Security agencies have claimed that normalcy has returned to the city, but for residents, normalcy is not something that can be announced, it is something that must be felt, and for now, that feeling is still elusive.

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As the political battle heats up ahead of the 2027 elections, the issue of security is taking center stage, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar saying, "A mother in Maiduguri is not asking for press releases, she is asking why her child was blown apart in a place the government claimed was 'liberated,'" a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict.

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Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has also weighed in, saying, "This government is killing Nigerians… The Monday bombings… [are] a damning indictment of a leadership that has grown complacent, incompetent, and indifferent," a scathing critique of the government's handling of the crisis.

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have also spoken out, with the ADC urging the president to prioritise security, and the PDP describing the situation as "dancing on the blood of Nigerians," a stark reminder of the outrage and frustration that is building across the country.

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Away from the politics, the city is speaking in quieter ways, as hospitals are stretched to the limit, and families are grieving the loss of loved ones, with one resident saying, "We are not asking for speeches, we just want to live," a poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict.

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For security experts, the warning signs are clear, as Ikemesit Effiong, Partner at SBM Intelligence, says, "We have to see this as the groups oozing confidence in their ability to wreck terror in that part of the country… We think this is the start of a spate of bombings, not just in Maiduguri but also less protected urban areas in the northeast," a stark reminder of the dangers that lie ahead.

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Malik Samuel, Senior Researcher at Good Governance Africa-Nigeria, has also warned, "It speaks to the intelligence failure and it shows that both factions (ISWAP and Boko Haram) are still very, very capable… Attacking Maiduguri is symbolic for these groups," a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by these groups.

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Dr Hamza Talba, Security Analyst, has said, "What I am seeing in Maiduguri is actually political, the governor has not utilised the resources given to him appropriately, if the state governor had been able to do what he is supposed to do, there would not be any Boko Haram in Maiduguri whatsoever," a scathing critique of the government's handling of the crisis.

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According to the latest Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria recorded 750 terrorism-related deaths in 2025, a 46 per cent increase from the previous year, with the number of attacks rising from 120 to 171, up 43 per cent, a grim reminder of the scale of the crisis.

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Nigeria is now ranked the 4th most terror-affected country in the world, with Borno State alone accounting for about 67 per cent of attacks and 72 per cent of deaths, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict on the region.

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When President Bola Tinubu took office in 2023, deaths had fallen to one of their lowest levels since 2011, but that trend has now reversed, with the latest attacks serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing security crisis in the country.

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The numbers behind the names are stark, with 23 dead, over 100 injured, and 750 deaths in a year, but it is the stories behind the numbers that truly capture the essence of the crisis, as families struggle to come to terms with their loss.

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As the 2027 elections approach, the question of security is taking center stage, with the opposition forming a narrative that the government has failed in its most basic duty, to protect lives, a charge that could have significant implications for the ruling party.

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The ground is shifting, and the same question that helped unseat a government in 2015 is returning, sharper, louder, and harder to ignore, as the people of Maiduguri and beyond demand answers and action from their leaders.

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In the end, it is not just about the numbers, but about the names, the faces, and the stories behind the statistics, as the city of Maiduguri struggles to come to terms with the latest wave of violence, and the ongoing security crisis that has plagued the region for so long.

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The question lingers, why can four boys leave home to buy eyeglasses and not return, a stark reminder of the senseless violence that has been unleashed upon the city, and the need for a lasting solution to the crisis.

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Life continues, but more carefully now, as the city struggles to come to terms with its new reality, and the shoes of the four brothers remain lined up against the wall, a poignant reminder of what has been lost, and the need for a better future.