A fake Trump post falsely blamed Nigeria's security failures on President Tinubu; real attacks in Maiduguri killed 23 and injured over 100.

A viral social media post falsely attributed a criticism of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu over security in Maiduguri to former U.S. President Donald Trump, which the Nigerian presidency and independent fact-checkers confirmed was fake. Real attacks occurred on March 16, 2026, targeting a hospital, market, and post office in Maiduguri, killing at least 23 people and injuring over 100, with additional violence reported in Ajilari. President Tinubu condemned the assaults as desperate acts by insurgents under military pressure, expressed condolences, and ordered top security officials to Maiduguri to oversee operations while approving additional equipment and emergency medical support. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others criticized the government’s response, accusing it of prioritizing political concerns over security and failing to deliver tangible results amid a resurgence of terrorism linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP.