Suspected Boko Haram fighters on Wednesday evening carried out a deadly attack on a Juma’at Mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, detonating an improvised explosive device (IED) during prayers.
The explosion occurred around 6:10 p.m. at the mosque located in Gamboru Ward, near the Customs area, as Muslim faithful were observing the Maghrib prayer.
The blast threw the area into panic, with early reports indicating that several worshippers were either killed or sustained injuries.
Residents who spoke with journalists by phone said the impact of the explosion was severe, though exact casualty figures had yet to be confirmed at the time of filing this report.
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Reacting to the incident, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, said he was yet to receive full details but confirmed he was heading to the scene to assess the situation firsthand.
The attack has heightened tension across Maiduguri, particularly among Christian residents who are preparing for the 2025 Christmas celebrations, amid fears of possible further violence.
Security personnel have since sealed off the affected area to forestall additional casualties and enable preliminary investigations into the attack.