Maiduguri (Rajeev Sharma): A bomb blast inside a mosque in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri left five people dead and at least 35 others wounded on Wednesday night, according to local police authorities. The explosion occurred while worshippers were gathered for evening prayers, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood.
The Borno State Police Command said initial evidence suggests the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber. Police spokesperson Nahum Daso stated that investigators recovered remnants believed to be part of an explosive vest, alongside testimonies from people who witnessed the incident. He added that security forces have cordoned off the area and are conducting detailed searches to ensure no additional devices were planted.
Emergency responders transported the injured to nearby hospitals, where several victims are receiving treatment for serious wounds. Officials have not yet released the identities of those killed.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, the attack comes amid long-running insecurity in Nigeria’s northern region, which has faced years of violence linked to extremist organizations such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Suicide bombings, once a frequent tactic of Boko Haram, have declined in recent years but remain a significant concern for security agencies.
Analysts note that while militant activity has reduced in some areas, recent incidents point to the groups’ continued ability to strike civilian targets. A coordinated suicide assault at a wedding in Borno earlier this year had already raised alarms about a possible return to such methods.
The latest incident adds to the toll of a conflict that has devastated communities across northeastern Nigeria since 2009, leaving thousands dead and displacing millions, according to United Nations data. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances behind the mosque explosion.
