Tragedy struck the Borno State capital on Wednesday evening as a devastating explosion tore through the Gambarou Jumu’at Mosque in Maiduguri, leaving scores of worshippers feared dead and many others injured.
The incident, which occurred on December 24, 2025, during the Maghrib (sunset) congregational prayers, has thrown the city into mourning just hours before Christmas Day celebrations.
According to eyewitness accounts, the blast is suspected to have been carried out by a suicide bomber who infiltrated the mosque premises. One survivor, who narrowly escaped the carnage, recounted that the explosion detonated moments after the prayers commenced.
“The Imam had just started the prayer when a deafening sound shook the entire building. Dust and smoke covered everywhere, and human remains were scattered,” the witness said.
While no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, security analysts point to the hallmarks of the Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgent groups, which have historically targeted soft targets such as places of worship and markets in the region.
Emergency responders, including officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), were promptly deployed to the scene to evacuate victims to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the State Specialist Hospital.
Confirming the incident, security sources stated that the area has been cordoned off to prevent secondary explosions and to allow for a preliminary investigation.
“The situation is critical, and casualty figures are still being collated,” a security source disclosed anonymously.
The attack comes despite recent assurances by the military and state government regarding improved security in the metropolis. It also follows a series of successful military operations in the Lake Chad region that reportedly neutralized several high-ranking insurgent commanders earlier this month.
Governor Babagana Zulum, who has been a vocal advocate for security reforms in the state, is expected to visit the scene and the injured victims later tonight.
Residents of Maiduguri have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies as the city grapples with this fresh wave of violence during the festive season.