5 Killed, 35 Injured In Maiduguri Mosque Bomb Blast

Five persons have been confirmed dead, while 35 others sustained varying degrees of injuries when a teen suicide bomber detonated the bomb strapped on his body in the midst of worshippers at a mosque in Ngamboru Market, Maiduguri, during evening prayers.

An eyewitness, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the blast occurred during congregational prayers around 6:10 pm, a time when many traders in the busy Ngamboru market usually gather to worship before returning home.

The eyewitness added that the explosion triggered fire and thick smoke, burning parts of the mosque’s ceiling and causing panic within the crowded market area.

However, confirming the suicide attack, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nahum Kenneth Daso, said that five persons died in the attack. In contrast, 35 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The PPRO added that the injured have been taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and other hospitals in Maiduguri.

He said,” Today at about 6 pm, we heard a case of a suicide bomber who attacked worshippers at a mosque in Ngamboru. We found five people dead, while 35 sustained injuries.

“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. Police EOD personnel have cordoned off the area to ensure public safety, while investigations are ongoing.

A victim’s relative, Ahmadu Mohammed, said their brother went for magrib prayers and then they heard a loud bang, but when they rushed into the mosque, all they could see was dust, before they later found their brother holding his neck.

Another relative of the bomb victim, Abubakar Ciroma, said they heard the blast and rushed out to see what happened, and they realised it was an explosion.

“We rushed him to the hospital here, where they are treating him,” he said.

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has condemned, in strong terms, a suicide attack at Gomboru market mosque in Maiduguri metropolis on Wednesday evening.

A suspected suicide bomber sneaked into the mosque while worshippers were performing the Maghrib prayer, killing five people and injuring 35 others.

Governor Zulum, conveying his profound condolences from the frontline in northern Borno through his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, called for increased vigilance and heightened security measures, particularly in places of worship during the festive period.

“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, “Attacking a place of worship is a desecration of the sanctity of the mosque at a time when Muslim faithful are performing acts of worship.”

“I wish to express my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the attack and pray for the repose of their souls, and for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he stated.

The Governor assured that adequate measures have been taken to forestall any security breach during the festive period and beyond.

PDP Condemns Blast

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the Christmas Eve explosion in Maiduguri, described as one too many.

The national publicity secretary of PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, in a statement, said it is another sad reminder of the rising insecurity that has become the unfortunate contemporary reality that Nigerians face.

“This is totally unacceptable; the minimum the government should offer its people is the protection of lives and property.”

While it urged the administration to rise to the occasion rather than resort to rhetoric and playing politics with security, it commiserated with the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this senseless attack.