LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) – A devastating bomb explosion during a prayer at a mosque in Maiduguri, located in Nigeria's northeastern region, has resulted in the tragic deaths of five individuals, according to a police statement released late Wednesday night. The incident, which has left an additional 35 people injured, is suspected to be a suicide attack based on current investigations.
Police spokesperson Nahum Daso indicated that preliminary investigations have pointed towards the likelihood of a suicide bombing. This conclusion is supported by the recovery of fragments resembling a suicide vest at the scene and multiple witness statements collected by authorities. While investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the attack, police are actively conducting searches in the vicinity for any secondary explosive devices that may pose further risks.
This bombing marks yet another tragic event in Nigeria's volatile northern region, which has been plagued by mounting violence connected to various armed groups. Among these, Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, have been significantly influential in the region's unrest. Since the emergence of this violence in 2009, thousands of lives have been lost, and millions have been displaced, as reported by the United Nations.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the mosque attack in Maiduguri. However, the tendency to use suicide bombers has predominantly been associated with Boko Haram. The militant organization has a history of conducting similar attacks throughout northeastern Nigeria, and while analysts suggest that its use of suicide bombing tactics has diminished over recent years, the group still retains the capability to execute such tragic events.
In a notable example of this capability, a three-pronged suicide attack occurred during a wedding ceremony in Borno in July 2024, reigniting concerns about the potential resurgence of this deadly tactic by Boko Haram. Such incidents underscore the ongoing threat posed by militant groups in the region and the continuing struggle faced by Nigerian authorities in restoring peace and security.
