The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the suicide bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday, describing the incident as another evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s lost battle to combating the country’s security challenges.

“The recent multiple bombings in Maiduguri, resulting in at least 23 deaths and injuring more than 100 people, are another incontrovertible piece of evidence of the inability of the APC-led federal government to curb the growing insecurity in the country,” the party said in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Tuesday.

Over 23 persons were killed and more than 100 others injured after three suicide bombers detonated deadly explosives at the Main Market, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and a flyover close to a post office, all in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday.

The PDP described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that insecurity had worsened under Mr Tinubu.

It stated, “This bombing is an unfortunate addition to the numerous acts of grave insecurity that have occurred under the watch of President Bola Tinubu, who was the loudest campaign voice for the APC, promising to end insecurity immediately if his party is elected. 

“Sadly, 11 years later, insecurity has not only increased significantly in the Northeastern part of Nigeria; it has spread almost uncontrollably to many other parts of the country that were hitherto very safe and peaceful.”

The opposition, which claimed the country was safer prior to Mr Tinubu’s ascension to power, further accused the Tinubu-led administration of devoting time and resources to annihilate opposition instead of using the same to combat killings across the country.

“Despite this glaring failure, the APC-led Presidency has devoted more time, energy, and resources to the task of political genocide against the opposition, instead of deploying the same to combat the growing insecurity that has become the lived reality and new normal of Nigerians. There is no one, including the President, who will not agree that our country was safer in 2015 than it is today,” it added.

The PDP commiserated with families affected by the dastardly incidents, urging the federal government to move beyond rhetoric in security matters and engage strategic stakeholders, especially community leaders, as part of a whole-of-society approach to combating insecurity.

Meanwhile, Mr Tinubu, in a statement on Tuesday, condemned the incident and sympathised with victims, ordering security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation. He also directed emergency agencies to provide proper care for the injured.