Blast During Evening Prayers Kills Worshippers in Maiduguri Mosque

A deadly explosion tore through a crowded mosque in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri during evening prayers on Wednesday, killing at least five to eight worshippers and injuring more than 30 others, according to police statements and witness accounts.

The blast occurred around 6 p.m. local time in the Gamboru market area, a densely populated district where worshippers had gathered for the Maghrib prayer. Witnesses told reporters that the device detonated inside the mosque, sending shockwaves through the building and causing panic as survivors scrambled for safety.

Police spokesperson Nahum Daso confirmed that five people were killed and 35 injured, adding that early evidence points to a suicide attack. Investigators recovered fragments believed to be from an explosive vest at the scene, though authorities emphasized that the inquiry remains ongoing.

Local militia members and community leaders reported slightly higher casualty estimates, with some placing the death toll at seven or eight. Officials have not yet released a final count, citing the need to verify hospital records and witness reports.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Maiduguri—capital of Borno State—has long been the epicenter of Nigeria’s 16-year conflict with Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Both groups have previously targeted mosques, markets, and civilian gatherings in the region.

The city had experienced a relative period of calm in recent years, making Wednesday’s explosion a grim reminder of the persistent threat posed by armed groups operating in the northeast.

Emergency responders transported the wounded to Borno State Specialist Hospital, where medical teams worked through the night to treat blast injuries ranging from shrapnel wounds to severe burns. Security forces have since cordoned off the area and increased patrols around major worship centers.

President Bola Tinubu has not yet issued a statement, but state officials say they expect federal security agencies to intensify counterinsurgency operations in the coming days.

Residents of Maiduguri expressed shock and grief as they gathered outside the damaged mosque on Thursday morning. “We were praying when everything went dark,” said one survivor, speaking to local reporters. “People were crying, running, calling for help. It was chaos.”

Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant as investigations continue.