The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has alleged that the March 2026 bomb attacks in Maiduguri were deliberately planned to disrupt President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled trip to the United Kingdom and weaken Nigeria’s international image.

Musa made the claim while speaking on national security developments, suggesting that the attackers intended to create political and diplomatic tension by targeting a period linked to the President’s foreign engagement plans.

According to him, intelligence assessments indicate that the incident was not only aimed at causing destruction but also at influencing Nigeria’s global perception and internal stability.

The Defence Minister maintained that the government continues to investigate the attack and strengthen security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

He added that security agencies are working to dismantle networks behind such coordinated attacks, stressing the need for continued vigilance and improved intelligence operations.

The March 2026 Maiduguri explosion had earlier sparked nationwide concern, with authorities launching probes into its cause and possible sponsors.