{"id":54012,"date":"2026-03-25T12:39:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T11:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/?p=54012"},"modified":"2026-03-25T12:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T11:39:09","slug":"healing-amid-chaos-maiduguri-blast-survivors-speak-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/healing-amid-chaos-maiduguri-blast-survivors-speak-out\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cHealing Amid Chaos: Maiduguri Blast Survivors Speak Out\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

At exactly 1 p.m. on March 24, 2026, one week and two days after a bomb explosion rocked three locations in Maiduguri, including the Post Office, Monday Market, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the atmosphere at Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital had noticeably changed.<\/p>\n

The tension that once gripped the hospital on the day of the attack had eased. Security checks remained tight at the entrance, but movement within the facility was calmer, with health workers attending to patients and visitors going about their routines.<\/p>\n

Yet, behind this calm, survivors continue to battle pain, trauma, and uncertainty.<\/p>\n

The March 16 attack, one of the deadliest in the city in recent years, left at least 23 people dead and more than 100 others injured, according to the Borno state police command report, although later estimates suggest the toll may be higher.<\/p>\n

The explosions shattered a period of relative calm in Maiduguri, a city that has long been at the centre of the Boko Haram insurgency.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Situation Is Very Difficult for Me\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Inside the female surgical ward, three patients lay quietly, each with a relative seated beside them.<\/p>\n

Among them is 70-year-old Fatime Bulama, a milk seller at Monday Market, one of the locations hit by the explosion. On a typical day, she would be at her stall early in the morning, selling milk to support herself and the orphans under her care.<\/p>\n

Now, she stays on a hospital bed.<\/p>\n

She sustained injuries to her forehead, stomach, and leg. Though her wounds have been stitched, the pain lingers.\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
Fatime Bulama recovering from injuries sustained in the Maiduguri bomb blast, at Umaru Shehu Hospital. Photo Credit: Rukaiya Ahmed Alibe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite assurances by the state government to provide medical assistance to victims, some patients at the Umaru Shehu Hospital say they are still responsible for covering parts of their treatment costs, including medications and other essential supplies.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a mother caring for orphans, this situation is very difficult for me,\u201d she said, her voice heavy with exhaustion. \u201cI cannot work, and we are often asked to provide medicines before treatment. It is a huge burden.\u201d Fatime confirmed.<\/p>\n

For Fatime, survival is no longer just about healing physically, it is about finding a way to return to a life that has suddenly been disrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we get financial support to buy medicines and injections, it will reduce the hardship we are facing,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Lives Disrupted in Seconds<\/strong><\/p>\n

A few beds away, 45-year-old Maryam Muhammad struggles to make sense of what happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt exploded right beside me,\u201d she said quietly.<\/p>\n

Maryam, who also sells milk at Monday Market, recalls little from the moment of the blast.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I arrived at the hospital, I didn\u2019t even know how I got here,\u201d she said. \u201cI was injured in my back and leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before the incident, her small business was her family\u2019s lifeline.<\/p>\n

\u201cI use that business to support my family,\u201d she said. \u201cNow I have lost my source of income. It is very painful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Maryam Muhammad, one of the many lives forever changed by the Maiduguri bombing, recovers at Umaru Shehu Hospital. Photo Credit: Rukaiya Ahmed Alibe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her daughter, Aisha Muhammad, who now takes care of her, said the burden of treatment has largely fallen on the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hospital has been supportive once we provide what is needed,\u201d she explained. \u201cFamily and friends have also helped us with what they can.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to her, the largest support they received was \u20a650,000 from a philanthropist, most of which has already been spent on medications.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have not been discharged yet because my mother still needs treatment,\u201d Aisha said. \u201cAll we want is for her to recover and return home safely. Government support would make things easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Busier Reality Elsewhere<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Umaru Shehu Hospital showed signs of calm, the situation at the Maiduguri State Specialist Hospital told a different story.<\/p>\n

From the entrance to the wards, activity remained intense. Patients of the blast filled the facility, some recovering, others still in critical condition.<\/p>\n

In one of the wards, 36-year-old Helen Maina, a mother of five, recounted how a routine errand turned tragic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went out to buy groceries for my family,\u201d she said. \u201cOn my way back, the explosion happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

She lost consciousness and was later brought to the hospital with fractures in her hand and injuries to her chest and back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel better now,\u201d she said. \u201cI just want to fully recover and go back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
A ward of survivors. Helen Maina with a bandaged hand pictured here during her recovery at State Specialist Hospital. Photo Credit: Rukaiya Ahmed Alibe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her sister, Maryam Maina, who has been caring for her, said the emotional toll has been heavy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were very scared when it happened,\u201d she said. \u201cEven now, she still complains of chest pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, she acknowledged the support received.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe assistance from the Borno State Government has really helped us,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Hospitals Under Pressure<\/strong><\/p>\n

Health workers say the hours following the blast were overwhelming.<\/p>\n

More than 100 injured victims were distributed across hospitals in Maiduguri, including the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Umaru Shehu Hospital, Muhammad Shuwa memorial hospital and the State Specialist Hospital.<\/p>\n

Istifanus Dawa, the nurse in charge of the ward, explained that many victims were brought in at once, but limited bed space meant only 17 patients could be admitted, while others were referred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost patients had injuries to their legs, chest, and stomach,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are responding to treatment, but it has been challenging managing different cases.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that many of the victims had never experienced hospitalization under such traumatic conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll admitted patients are being treated free of charge,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Emergency Response and Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. BabaShehu Mohammed, Medical Director of the State Specialist Hospital, said 18 victims were initially brought in.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne died instantly, while 17 were admitted for treatment,\u201d he said. \u201cSeveral others with minor injuries were treated and discharged.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to him, six patients have since been discharged, leaving 11 still receiving care.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome patients underwent multiple surgeries. Some came in unable to speak but are now talking and walking,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Despite the hospital\u2019s preparedness for emergencies, the situation came with challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cCrowd control was a major issue,\u201d he explained. \u201cThere was fear that another explosion could occur, which affected both patients and medical personnel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Security operatives later intervened, allowing health workers to carry out their duties effectively.<\/p>\n

Support also came from humanitarian organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Medical Corps (IMC), and M\u00e9decins Sans Fronti\u00e8res (MSF), alongside government and private donors.<\/p>\n

The Invisible Wounds<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beyond physical injuries, many survivors are dealing with emotional and psychological distress.<\/p>\n

Dr Mohammed said counseling has been provided to help patients cope with trauma, fear, and anxiety especially among those who witnessed the explosion or lost consciousness during the incident.<\/p>\n

For many, the fear of crowded places and sudden sounds remains.<\/p>\n

Call for More Support<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Mohammed emphasized the need for more healthcare personnel, noting that existing staff are overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis affects not only emergency situations but general healthcare delivery,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He also addressed concerns about delays in treatment, explaining that emergency care requires careful procedures.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, in cases of fractures with contaminated wounds, proper cleaning must be donebefore fixing the bone to prevent infection,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople need to understand and be patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Community Still Healing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although the exact number of those affected continues to emerge, the impact of the Maiduguri blasts goes beyond hospital walls, disrupting livelihoods, deepening poverty, and leaving families uncertain about the future.<\/p>\n

For survivors like Fatime Bulama, recovery is not just about leaving the hospital.<\/p>\n

It is about returning to a life that may no longer be the same.<\/p>\n

As she lay on her hospital bed, far from the busy market where she once earned her living, her thoughts remain fixed on what comes next not just for herself, but for the children who depend on her.<\/p>\n

In Maiduguri, the wounds of the explosion are slowly healing, but the path to rebuilding lives is only just beginning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rukaiya Ahmed Alibe<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From fractured limbs to broken livelihoods, the aftermath of the city\u2019s recent explosions continues to challenge survivors and hospitals alike.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":54017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,113,2,11,16,8,52,12,18,1],"tags":[53,54,284,57,103,5,30,132],"class_list":["post-54012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment","category-gender","category-health-en","category-humanitarian","category-lake-chad-basin","category-local-news","category-news-en","category-peace-and-security","category-regional-news","category-uncategorized","tag-attack","tag-boko-haram","tag-bomb-blast","tag-borno-state","tag-explosion","tag-maiduguri","tag-nigeria","tag-northeast"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54012"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54012"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54021,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54012\/revisions\/54021"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ndarason.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}