The Nigerian military has confirmed that four people were killed and 32 others injured after a bomb exploded at a mosque inside Gamboru market in Maiduguri, Borno state.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night during Maghreb prayers.
The confirmation was made by the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), through its Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel. Sani Uba, in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Uba said the explosion occurred around 6:00 pm while worshipers were observing prayers at the mosque.
According to him, initial investigations showed that the blast was caused by a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber detonating an improvised explosive device.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the explosion was caused by a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber who detonated an improvised explosive device, killing himself and two civilians at the scene,” Uba said.
He explained that Operation Hadin Kai troops, working alongside the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of the Nigerian Police, other security agencies, the Borno State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), immediately responded to the attack.
“The affected area was quickly secured and cordoned off to prevent further damage, while the victims were evacuated to the General Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment,” he added.
Uba said that although 32 civilians were injured, two of them later died in hospital, bringing the total number of civilian deaths to four.
He noted that two of the injured are in critical condition, while the remaining patients are stable and responding to medical care.
Following the attack, the OPHK spokesperson said security had been beefed up in Maiduguri and surrounding areas to prevent further incidents, especially during the festive season.
He urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, advising them to avoid crowded places and report any suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.
Uba also expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assured residents of the army’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the North East.