Dozens Feared Killed, Injured In Suicide Bombing At Mosque
Not less than five people were killed while 35 others sustained injuries following an explosion at a mosque located within Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, Borno State.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident in a press release on Wednesday, stating that it received “a report of an IED explosion” on December 24, 2025, “at about 1800hrs, at Al-Adum Juma’at Mosque, located within Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, during prayers.”
The press release was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, on behalf of the Borno State Police Command, and dated December 24, 2025.
According to the statement, the police said “the affected area has been cordoned off to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency operations” shortly after the explosion.
The command disclosed that its response was carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police.
“The Borno State Police Command, under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid psc, immediately activated a Rescue/Joint Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other relevant security and emergency response agencies,” the statement said.
On the number of casualties, the police stated that “five (5) persons lost their lives, while thirty-five (35) others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”
It added that the injured victims “have been evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, for medical treatment.”
The police further said early findings point to a suicide attack.
“Preliminary investigations further suggest that the incident may have been a suicide bombing, based on the recovery of fragments of a suspected suicide vest and witness statements recorded,” the command said, stressing that “investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause and circumstances.”
The statement also confirmed continued security operations around the scene.
“The Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit is conducting thorough sweeping operations within and around the scene to rule out any secondary devices,” it said.
While addressing public safety concerns, the police said “normalcy has been restored,” adding that “members of the public are advised to remain calm, avoid the affected area, and continue to cooperate with timely information.”
The command assured residents that “further updates will be communicated as investigations progress.”
