A suicide bomber detonated explosives inside a mosque in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Wednesday evening, leaving many worshippers dead and others critically injured, according to eyewitnesses and local reports.
The attack targeted the Gambarou Jumu’at Mosque during Maghrib (sunset) prayers. Witnesses said the assailant blended into the congregation before setting off the device shortly after prayers commenced.
“The bomber detonated when the first raka’at of the Maghrib prayer was observed,” one survivor recounted. “Many worshippers are believed to have died, others sustained various injuries.”
Security forces have cordoned off the area as emergency responders work to evacuate casualties and secure the scene. Rescue operations and investigations are ongoing.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, though the region has long been plagued by insurgent activities linked to Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Authorities have appealed for calm and urged residents to remain vigilant, reporting any suspicious activities to security agencies.
The attack underscores the persistent threat of violence in northeastern Nigeria, where places of worship and civilian gatherings have repeatedly been targeted despite continued military counterinsurgency operations.