Explosive blast hits Maiduguri mosque, 5 dead, 35 wounded
Explosive blast hits Maiduguri mosque, 5 dead, 35 wounded
A bomb blast at a crowded Maiduguri mosque during evening prayers left five dead and about 35 injured, as investigators probe the motive and origins.
A bomb exploded in a packed mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria's Borno state, during evening prayers, killing at least five people and injuring about 35. The blast struck the Gamboru market area, where worshippers had gathered for prayers, according to a police spokesman who spoke to local media. Unverified footage circulating on social media shows the aftermath with dust filling the air as responders move through the scene.
Officials said the attack appeared to target worshippers in a crowded setting, though no group has claimed responsibility. Militants have previously targeted mosques and other crowded places in northeast Nigeria with suicide attacks and improvised explosive devices.
Security forces have cordoned the area as investigations begin. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with rescue workers rushing to assist the injured and locals aiding one another amid the debris. The attack adds to a long history of violence in the region, underscoring ongoing security concerns for communities in Maiduguri and beyond.
