UPDATED: 5 Die, 35 Injured In Borno Mosque Bomb Blast As Zulum Condemns Suicide Attack

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 on Wednesday.

An eyewitness, on the condition of anonymity, said the blast occurred in the middle of congregational prayers around 6:10pm, 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 attack by the suicide bomber, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nahum Kenneth Daso, said that five persons died in the attack, while 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 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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has condemned, in strong terms, the suicide attack at Gomboru Market mosque in Maiduguri metropolis on Wednesday evening.

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

Governor Zulum, while 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 5 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 that 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.