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Claim: An X user shared a post showing Trump’s criticism of Tinubu over the Maiduguri bomb blast.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA scrutinised Trump’s recent posts on Truth Social—a social media platform Trump founded and launched in February 2022—and noticed that his comments have focused on the US-Iranian war and domestic politics. None is linked to insecurity in Nigeria or its government.
Full Text
At least 23 people have died, and 100 have been wounded after multiple blasts struck in Maiduguri on Monday, Mar. 16, 2026. The incident occurred at the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and at two local markets—Post Office and Monday Market. Preliminary findings indicate that the attack was carried out by suicide bombers.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for London for a state visit hosted by King Charles III to discuss security, trade, and government matters.
Amid this situation, an X user, @iOccupyNigeria (archived here), shared a post showing United States (US) President Donald Trump’s alleged criticism of Tinubu’s shambolic security management in the country.
“The situation in Nigeria is a TOTAL DISASTER. Massive, coordinated suicide bombing tonight in Maiduguri. A hospital, a major market, the post office— all hit! Many innocent people killed,” part of Trump’s alleged post reads.
“This is what happens when you have NO LEADERSHIP and open borders for terrorists! While his country is in a state of NATIONAL EMERGENCY, President Tinubu is currently in the UK on a ‘State Visit.’” Trump further wrote.
As of Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the X post has 483,900 views, 760 comments, 4,200 retweets, 8,600 likes, and 1000 bookmarks.
While some X users questioned the post’s authenticity, others emphasised President Trump’s alleged sentiments.
“Doesn’t even sound like Trump,” @donsegs7 pointed out.
“Why would you post it? When you’ve not confirmed if it’s real or now???” @AliuZekeri49825 wrote.
“This just shows how bad insecurity in Nigeria has gotten to,” @JerryBr72287575 opined.
“Just imagine the global shame we face daily because of poor leadership,” Sby107 commented.
Due to the sensitivity of the post and the timing following the incident, DUBAWA decided to verify the claim.
Verification
DUBAWA checked Trump’s official account on Truth Social, @realDonaldTrump, where he shares his opinion on issues and updates about his actions. We found no related post or comment about the Maiduguri bomb blast, contrary to the Facebook user’s claim.
We also noticed that the viral post has only a single red verification tick. However, Trump’s original posts on Truth Social have a red verification tick and a Truth Social icon.
The claimant’s post. One of Trump’s original posts on Truth Social.
We also checked the US president’s official Facebook and X account, and found nothing related to the claimant’s post.
DUBAWA checked if any credible news outlet reported or quoted Trump’s alleged viral post, but found none. However, Punch newspaper reported that the Nigerian presidency, via the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, dismissed the viral post as inauthentic. The news outlet stated that Dare took to his X handle and labelled the post as “fake.”
Conclusion
The post showing Trump’s criticism of Tinubu over the Maiduguri bomb blast is false. DUBAWA checked Trump’s official social media accounts, including Truth Social, where the post appeared to have originated, but found nothing to indicate that the US president made the post or anything related to it.
