Suicide Attack Rocks Borno as Bomber Kills Worshippers Inside Maiduguri Mosque

Residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, remain gripped by fear and anxiety following a devastating suicide bomb attack that occurred on the eve of this year’s Christmas celebration.
Security reports indicated that a suspected suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) inside the Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque, located in the Gamboru Market area of Maiduguri, on Wednesday.

The explosion claimed the lives of at least five worshippers, including the attacker, while several others sustained injuries.
Eyewitnesses said the blast tore through a section of the mosque within the bustling Gamboru Market, triggering panic and confusion among traders, worshippers, and nearby residents. According to accounts from the scene, thick smoke billowed from the building as people scrambled to rescue victims before emergency responders arrived.
Those injured in the attack were rushed to the Borno State Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for immediate medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Nahum Daso, stated that although the exact number of fatalities could not be immediately confirmed, about 35 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to hospitals across the state capital for treatment.
He further disclosed that a joint team of security agencies, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, swiftly cordoned off the Gamboru Market area to conduct a thorough sweep for possible secondary explosive devices.
According to competent security sources, operatives sealed off the area shortly after the explosion to prevent further casualties and enable an initial assessment of the situation.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army’s Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, identified the attacker as a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber who allegedly infiltrated the mosque disguised as a worshipper. Fragments of a suicide vest were reportedly recovered at the scene.
In response, security authorities deployed over 1,000 police officers across Maiduguri to safeguard worship centres and public spaces during the Christmas festivities.
Reacting to the incident, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the deployment of additional tactical teams to track down those responsible for the attack. Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the bombing, describing it as “barbaric and inhumane,” while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed an immediate intensification of security operations across the state.
Authorities have since urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, particularly in crowded areas and places of worship, as investigations continue.
Although no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of filing this report, indications suggest it may be linked to either Boko Haram or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have terrorised the North-East region for years.
Amid heightened security concerns nationwide during the yuletide season, reports indicate increased surveillance and tactical operations by intelligence and security agencies aimed at preventing possible terrorist activities. Security forces in Borno State have also been placed on high alert to forestall any follow-up attacks during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.