Maiduguri: At least five people were killed, and 35 others sustained injuries after an explosion ripped through a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno state, on Wednesday night, authorities said.
The blast occurred while worshippers were gathered for prayers, prompting panic in the surrounding area. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Borno State Police Command said early findings point to a possible suicide attack. Police spokesperson Nahum Daso said investigators recovered debris believed to be from an explosive vest, along with eyewitness accounts that support the initial assessment.
Security personnel were immediately deployed to the site, and a thorough search of the area is ongoing to rule out the presence of additional explosive devices. The injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities, where several remain under treatment.
No organization has so far taken responsibility for the attack. However, Nigeria’s northeast has long been affected by violence linked to armed groups, particularly Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Suicide bombings have previously been a tactic commonly associated with Boko Haram, although analysts note that such attacks have become less frequent in recent years.
Despite a decline in their use, security experts warn that militant groups in the region still retain the capability to carry out high-impact assaults. Concerns about a resurgence were raised earlier this year after coordinated suicide attacks targeted a wedding gathering in Borno.
The Christmas Eve incident underscores the continued security challenges facing northern Nigeria, where years of conflict have claimed thousands of lives and forced millions to flee their homes, according to United Nations estimates. Investigations into Wednesday night’s blast are continuing.
