On December 4, 2023, Nigerian police successfully defused an improvised explosive device (IED) found at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri. No injuries or damages were reported.

The Borno state’s police public relations officer confirmed the incident and said an investigation would be conducted. It is unclear who planted the IED.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about targeted attacks on higher education spaces and communities. Such acts undermine academic freedom and university autonomy. Law enforcement and university authorities should take reasonable steps to respond to and prevent such attacks, including by investigating and holding perpetrators accountable. In addition to the harm to the targets, such threats undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://insecurityinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/December-2023-Education-in-Danger-Monthly-News-Brief.pdf
https://leadership.ng/police-defuse-ied-at-unimaid-entrance/
https://21stcenturychronicle.com/police-found-ied-at-university-of-maiduguri-gate/
https://gazettengr.com/bomb-planted-near-university-of-maiduguri-defused-police/
https://edugist.org/police-thwart-tragedy-at-unimaid-diffuse-improvised-explosive-device/