The Borno State Police Command has rolled out heavy security across Maiduguri, deploying more than 1,000 officers to major roads, known flashpoints, churches and other public spaces as Christians mark Christmas, days after a deadly bomb attack rocked the city.
The explosion, which occurred at about 6pm on Wednesday, struck worshippers gathered for prayers at the Al-Adum Mosque in Gamboru Market. Five people were killed and 35 others sustained injuries, triggering fresh security concerns ahead of the festive period in Maiduguri.
Speaking on Thursday morning, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, said the latest incident had forced the command to strengthen an already existing security framework. According to him, the operation is being carried out jointly with other security and emergency response agencies to ensure the safety of residents and worshippers.
“There will be full domination of security personnel at churches, recreational centres, and strategic locations where people are massively going to. We are on standby,” Daso said. “It is a joint operation between the police and all emergency and security response teams. The command has deployed over 1,000 personnel within Maiduguri.”
He added that, “Though there were earlier security arrangements, however, with what happened yesterday, we are making it more intense.”
Daso urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, encouraging them to continue their lawful activities while keeping a close eye on their surroundings. “We call on members of the public to go about their lawful business. But they should be very mindful and careful of their surroundings and use the designated emergency response number,” he said. “Any suspicious person they see around them should be immediately reported.”
He also disclosed that security checks would be enforced at all worship centres. “In terms of clearance, any individual going to churches must be properly scanned. And the same thing too for the mosque,” he said.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and inhumane. In a statement issued on Wednesday night by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and called for heightened vigilance during the festive season.
“I am deeply saddened by the Gamboru mosque suicide attack which occurred on Wednesday evening when worshippers were performing Maghrib prayer, killing 5 people and injuring 35 others,” Zulum said. “The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane.”
He added, “Attacking a place of worship is a desecration of the sanctity of the mosque at a time when Muslim faithful are performing acts of worship. I wish to express my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the attack and pray for the repose of their souls, and for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
The governor assured residents that adequate security measures were in place to prevent further breaches during the Christmas period and beyond.