The Nigerian Army has confirmed that four persons were killed and 32 others injured in a bomb explosion at a mosque located within Gamboru Market in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening during the Maghrib prayer.
The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), through its Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba.
According to Uba, the explosion happened at about 6:00 p.m. while worshippers were observing prayers at the mosque.
He said preliminary investigations indicated that the blast was caused by a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber who detonated an improvised explosive device (IED).
“Initial findings show that the explosion was caused by a suspected Boko Haram terrorist suicide bomber who detonated an IED, killing himself and two civilians at the scene,” Uba stated.
He added that troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, other security agencies, the Borno State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), responded promptly to the incident.
“The area was immediately secured and cordoned off to forestall further danger, while the injured were evacuated to the General Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment,” he said.
Uba disclosed that although 32 civilians initially sustained injuries, two later died in hospital, bringing the total number of civilian deaths to four.
He noted that two of the injured victims remain in critical condition, while others are stable and responding to treatment.
Following the attack, Uba said security had been reinforced across Maiduguri and its environs to prevent further incidents, particularly during the festive period.
He urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, advising them to avoid crowded areas and promptly report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
The OPHK spokesman also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the North-East.