Nigerian police have stated that a suicide bomber is the prime suspect behind a devastating explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri on Christmas Eve. The attack resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, casting a shadow over the festive period in the northeastern city.
Details of the Christmas Eve Attack
The tragedy unfolded around 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) on Wednesday at the Al-Adum Juma’at Mosque located in the Gamboru market area of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. Witnesses reported that the mosque was filled with Muslim faithful gathered for evening prayers when the blast occurred inside the building.
Police spokesman Nahum Daso provided details to journalists, stating, "An unknown individual, whom we suspect to be a member of a terrorist group, entered the mosque, and while prayer was ongoing, we recorded an explosion." In a later statement, Daso confirmed that the incident may have been a suicide bombing. This assessment is based on evidence collected at the scene, including fragments of what is believed to be a suicide vest, as well as accounts from witnesses.
Conflicting Casualty Figures and Official Response
The police have officially placed the death toll from the blast at five persons, with 35 others sustaining various degrees of injuries. However, initial reports from the scene, including an account from a witness to the AFP news agency on Wednesday, suggested a higher figure of eight fatalities.
In response to the attack, security forces have been mobilized across Borno state. Police officials have been deployed to markets, worship centres, and other key public places to bolster security and prevent further incidents. This move aims to reassure a nervous public in the wake of the violence.
Context of Insurgency in Northeast Nigeria
This attack is a grim reminder of the persistent jihadist insurgency that has plagued Nigeria's northeast since 2009. The region has been the primary battleground for groups like Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). According to United Nations estimates, this protracted conflict has led to the deaths of at least 40,000 people and displaced approximately two million from their homes.
While the violence has been largely contained to the northeastern states, jihadist attacks have sporadically been recorded in other parts of the country. Notably, Maiduguri itself, which was once the epicentre of nightly gun battles and bombings, has experienced relative calm in recent years. The last major attack reported in the city occurred back in 2021, making this Christmas Eve blast a significant and distressing security breach.
