In a bomb detonated during prayers at a mosque in Maiduguri, five people were killed and 35 injured, police said Wednesday night.
Attack Details
A bomb exploded during prayers at a mosque in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri on Wednesday night. The explosion killed five and injured 35.
Police Findings
Police described the attack as a likely suicide attack. Nahum Daso, spokesperson for police command in Borno state, said fragments of a suspected suicide vest were found at the site.
Context of Northern Nigeria Attacks
The bombing is part of a series of attacks in Nigeria’s troubled northern region, where armed groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province, operate. The United Nations reports several thousand people have been killed and millions displaced since 2009.
Current Status
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Analysts note that Boko Haram’s use of suicide bombers has decreased in recent years, but it still has the capacity to carry out such attacks. A three-pronged suicide attack on a wedding ceremony in Borno in July 2024 raised concerns about a possible resurgence.
Key Takeaways
- Five people were killed and 35 injured in the mosque bombing.
- Police suspect a suicide bomber; vest fragments found.
- The attack follows a long history of violence by Boko Haram and allied groups in the region.
The incident underscores the ongoing instability in northern Nigeria and the continued threat posed by armed militant groups.
