Background Recent spates of bomb blasts unleashed by terrorists in eight Nigerian States warranted research into the health cost of managing one of such bomb blast victim.

Methods We conducted a retrospective study in one hospital in each of eight states (Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna and Kano) from 2010–2012 using a cluster sampling method, selecting fifty victims of bomb blast per state. We obtained data from hospital intake billing registers.

Results The following costs reflect the range of in-patient hospital costs only. They do not include follow up treatment, rehabilitation, or mental health counselling. Hospital stays ranged from 4–8 weeks per person.

1. Borno State: 700USD–2000USD

2. Plateau State: 750USD–3500USD

3. Bauchi State: 720USD–3000USD

4. Yobe State: 700USD–3150USD

5. Gombe State: 730USD–3350USD

6. Niger State: 710USD–3450USD

7. Kaduna State: 800USD–3750USD

8. Kano State: 850USD–4000USD

Conclusion and Significance The relevance of this pilot study in identifying the cost of managing injuries of one bomb blast victim exposes an enormous diversion of scare healthcare resources from the care of between 10–57 people based on the current Nigerian health expenditures per capita. There is an urgent need to prevent violence from these terrorists.