IED Explosion Hits Maiduguri Mosque, Worshippers Feared Dead During Evening Prayers

IED Explosion Hits Maiduguri Mosque, Worshippers Feared Dead During Evening Prayers

An explosion suspected to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ripped through a mosque at Gamboru Main Market in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Wednesday evening, killing and injuring worshippers during Maghrib prayers.

The blast occurred at about 6:00 p.m. inside the mosque, which is frequently patronised by traders, shoppers and residents of the bustling Gamboru Market area. Witnesses said worshippers were in prayer when the device detonated, triggering panic as survivors fled the scene.

Emergency responders and security operatives were swiftly deployed, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Although initial reports varied, security sources confirmed that several people were killed and dozens injured, with authorities still working to establish a definitive casualty figure.

READ ALSO:

• Christmas: KAI Corps Marshal Vows Tight Environmental Surveillance Across Lagos
• Changan CS55, Kia Seltos take top SUV honours at 2025 NAJA Auto Awards
• Ojuelegba Bridge Gridlock as Container Truck Overturns in Surulere, Lagos

There was no immediate official statement from the police at the time of filing, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Maiduguri has repeatedly been targeted in the past by Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have carried out suicide bombings and IED attacks on mosques, markets and other crowded public places.

Maiduguri remains the epicentre of Nigeria’s Islamist insurgency, which began in 2009 when Boko Haram launched an uprising in Borno State, seeking to establish an Islamic caliphate. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions across the northeast, despite sustained military offensives and regional cooperation.

While security conditions in Maiduguri had improved in recent years, the latest mosque bombing highlights the continued threat of insurgent violence in the region. Security agencies have since cordoned off the area and launched an investigation, including a sweep for possible secondary devices.

IED Explosion Hits Maiduguri Mosque, Worshippers Feared Dead During Evening Prayers