Maiduguri: Muslim worshippers bombed inside a mosque

Police and officials urge heightened vigilance after bombing at Gamboru market mosque

By Abdullahi Yusuf

At least five worshippers were killed and more than 35 injured when a suspected suicide bomber detonated explosives inside the Al-Adun Jumaat Mosque near Gamboru Main Market in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday evening, officials said.

The blast occurred during Maghrib prayers, when the mosque was crowded with worshippers, including local traders attending the nearby market. Residents described the explosion as the first of its kind in several years in the otherwise peaceful city.

Borno State Police confirmed the incident but did not provide an official casualty figure. ASP Kenneth Daso, the Police Spokesman, said the area was immediately cordoned off while officers from the Explosive Ordnances Department (EOD) investigated. “Public safety remains our priority as we determine the cause of this unfortunate blast,” he said.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum condemned the attack, calling it “utterly condemnable, barbaric, and inhumane,” and described the targeting of a place of worship as a desecration of its sanctity. The governor extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.

He also urged heightened security during the festive period and beyond, particularly in mosques and other crowded places. “Adequate measures have been taken to prevent any security breach,” his statement said.

Local witnesses said the explosion sent worshippers fleeing in panic, and emergency responders rushed the injured to nearby hospitals. The attack highlights ongoing security concerns in northeastern Nigeria, where insurgency and extremism have previously affected Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

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