Scores Feared Dead as Bomb Blast Hits Mosque in Maiduguri

A bomb blast has struck a mosque in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, leaving several worshippers feared dead or injured.

The explosion occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday at a Juma’at mosque located in the Gamboru market area of the city, according to a report by Channels Television. Worshippers were said to be observing their evening (Maghrib) prayers at the time of the blast.

Details of the casualties remain unclear as of the time of filing this report, with no official figure released on the number of people killed or injured.

Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Borno State Police Command were unsuccessful. The police spokesperson, Nahum Daso, did not respond to phone calls or text messages sent to him.

The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. However, previous attacks in Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State have often been linked to Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The incident comes about a week after civilians were reportedly killed during a Nigerian Air Force airstrike in Kukawa Local Government Area of the state. The Air Force has not publicly acknowledged that incident or responded to enquiries regarding it.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the mosque explosion as investigations continue.