Five persons have been confirmed dead and 35 others injured after a suspected teenage suicide bomber detonated an explosive device inside a mosque at Ngamboru Market in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday evening.
The explosion occurred around 6:10pm during Maghrib prayers at the Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque, a time when many traders and residents of the busy Ngamboru Market usually gather for worship before heading home.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bomber struck in the middle of congregational prayers, triggering panic as fire and thick smoke engulfed parts of the mosque.
According to the witness, sections of the mosque were damaged, while worshippers and traders fled the area in fear.
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Confirming the incident, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nahum Kenneth Daso, said five people lost their lives in the attack, while 35 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“Today at about 6pm, we heard a case of a suicide bomber who attacked worshippers at a mosque in Ngamboru. We found five persons dead while 35 sustained injuries,” Daso said.
He added that the injured victims were rushed to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and other medical facilities across Maiduguri for treatment.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit have cordoned off the area and commenced sweeping operations to ensure public safety.
“Ongoing sweeping operations by Police EOD as a suspected explosion incident was recorded at Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque in Gamboru Market today at about 1800hrs during prayers. Investigations are ongoing,” he stated.
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Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has strongly condemned the suicide attack, describing it as barbaric, inhumane, and a desecration of a sacred place.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor expressed deep sorrow over the incident, which he said occurred while Muslim faithful were observing Maghrib prayers.
“I am deeply saddened by the Gamboru mosque suicide attack which occurred on Wednesday evening when worshippers were performing Maghrib prayer, killing five people and injuring 35 others. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane,” Zulum said.
He added that attacking a place of worship undermines its sanctity and called for increased vigilance, especially during the festive period.
The governor extended his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured, while assuring residents that adequate security measures have been put in place to prevent further breaches during the festive season and beyond.