Maiduguri, Borno State
A devastating explosion tore through a crowded mosque in Maiduguri’s Gamboru Market area on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, killing at least five worshippers and injuring dozens more as they gathered for Maghrib (evening) prayers around 6:00 p.m.
According to Borno State police spokesman Nahum Daso, preliminary investigations suggest the blast was caused by a suspected suicide bombing, with fragments of a possible suicide vest recovered at the scene. Witnesses described chaos as the explosion ripped through the Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque, sending panicked congregants fleeing amid smoke and debris.
Injured victims were rushed to the Borno State Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, where emergency teams continue to provide treatment. Reports indicate at least 35 people sustained injuries, though exact figures may rise as assessments continue.
Security forces quickly cordoned off the area and conducted sweeps for secondary devices. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the attack as “inhumane and barbaric,” offering condolences to the victims’ families and assuring heightened security measures during the festive period.
No group has claimed responsibility for the incident. However, the attack bears similarities to tactics used by jihadist insurgents, including Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have targeted mosques, markets, and crowded places in the region. Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram’s insurgency in 2009, has seen relative calm in recent years, with no major attacks in the city center since 2021.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as investigations continue into this rare breach of security in the state capital.
Christmas Eve Horror: Deadly Explosion Rocks Maiduguri Mosque During Evening Prayers
