Fresh details have emerged on the attempted bombing of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Borno State, where three teenagers allegedly concealed explosives inside a food flask in a failed bid to infiltrate the facility.

The attackers were reportedly intercepted at the hospital’s entrance by vigilant security personnel.

Their plan, according to findings made available to POLITICS NIGERIA, was to gain access to the main building and detonate the device among patients and visitors.

The incident, which occurred on March 16, instead led to explosions at the hospital gate after the suspects were denied entry.

The attack turned deadly. At least 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others were injured in the coordinated explosions that rocked parts of Maiduguri that day.

A security guard at the hospital, Ali Musa, gave a chilling account of how the incident unfolded. He described the suspects as young teenagers who tried to beat security checks by disguising themselves as relatives visiting patients.

According to him, the “dirty-looking teenagers” arrived at the hospital in a tricycle, commonly called Keke Napep, carrying a food flask to avoid suspicion.

He said, “We had heard about the bomb blast at the post office and immediately tightened security at our post. We were two on duty at the time, while others had gone to break their fast.”

Musa explained that the behaviour of the suspects immediately raised alarm.

“They were three in number—two boys and one rider of the tricycle. I think they were around 13 or 14 years old. They looked very unkempt. I suspected something was wrong with the way they drove in.