Xmas Eve Terror in Borno: Suicide Bomber Kills Muslim Worshippers, Injures 35 Inside Mosque During Evening Prayers
A suspected suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) inside a mosque in the Gamboru Market area of Maiduguri on Wednesday, on the Xmas eve killing at least five worshippers and leaving dozens others wounded.
The attack occurred at approximately 6:15 p.m. during Maghrib prayers, as the mosque was filled with worshippers gathered for the evening session.
The blast ripped through a section of the mosque located within the busy Gamboru Market, causing immediate panic and chaos among traders and residents.
Witnesses described a scene of desperation as thick smoke billowed from the building, with civilians attempting to assist the victims before official emergency responders reached the site.
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The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Borno State, DSP Nahum Daso, confirmed the casualty figures, stating that 35 survivors sustained varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to hospitals across the state capital for urgent treatment.
Following the explosion, a joint team of security agencies, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, cordoned off the market to conduct a sweep for secondary devices.
“Security operatives cordoned off the area shortly after the incident to prevent further casualties and to allow for preliminary assessment,” the police confirmed.
PRNigeria reports that the attack comes amid heightened security concerns across Nigeria as the yuletide season approaches. Intelligence and security services have reportedly increased surveillance and tactical measures to curtail potential terrorist activities during the upcoming festivities.
Currently, security forces in Borno have entered a high-alert phase to prevent follow-up attacks during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, though the region has long been the epicenter of an insurgency led by Boko Haram and ISWAP.
By PRNigeria
