- Nigerian Army confirms Boko Haram behind Maiduguri mosque bombing
- At least five worshippers killed, over 30 injured during Maghrib prayers
- Suicide bomber detonated IED inside Al-Adum Jummat Mosque
- Tinubu orders intensified security operations across Borno State
The Nigerian Army has linked the Maiduguri mosque bombing to Boko Haram, confirming that the deadly blast at Al-Adum Jummat Mosque in Borno State was carried out by a suicide bomber during evening prayers, prompting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an immediate security clampdown in the state.
The explosion occurred on Wednesday evening at the Al-Adum Jummat Mosque, located in the Gamboru Market area of Maiduguri, while worshippers were observing Maghrib prayers.
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Initial reports confirmed that five people were killed, while over 30 others sustained injuries of varying degrees following the attack.
In an official update on Thursday, the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai said investigations showed that the attack was carried out by a Boko Haram suicide bomber.
Theatre Command spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said the assailant detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) inside the mosque.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the incident was caused by a suspected Boko Haram terrorist suicide bomber, who detonated an improvised explosive device, killing himself and two civilians instantly,” Uba said.
He added that troops, alongside the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, NEMA, the Borno State Government, and other security agencies, swiftly cordoned off the area to prevent further casualties.
READ ALSO: Many Feared Dead as Suicide Bomber Strikes Borno Mosque During Evening Prayers
Victims of the blast were evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the State General Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Lt. Col. Uba later confirmed that two of the injured victims died at the hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities to five, while two others remain in critical condition.
“The remaining injured civilians are stable and receiving appropriate medical care,” he said.
Reacting to the attack, Vice-President Kashim Shettima disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered the immediate intensification of security operations in Borno State.
According to Shettima, additional tactical teams have been deployed to track down those responsible for the bombing and prevent further attacks.
Describing the incident as “a despicable assault on innocent citizens,” the Vice-President assured residents that the Federal Government would not relent in its fight against terrorism.
“The Federal Government will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the peace and security of our nation,” Shettima said.
He expressed condolences to the Borno State Government, affected families, and residents, reaffirming the Tinubu administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring peace to the North-East.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Nigeria’s troubled northern region, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have waged an insurgency since 2009, leaving thousands dead and millions displaced.
