LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) - A bomb explosion during evening prayers at a mosque in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, resulted in the deaths of five individuals on Wednesday night, as confirmed by a police statement. In addition to the fatalities, the attack left 35 people injured.
The spokesperson for the Borno state police command, Nahum Daso, indicated that preliminary investigations suggest the possibility of a suicide bombing. This assessment was based on the recovery of fragments from a suspected suicide vest and statements gathered from witnesses. Ongoing investigations aim to clarify the precise cause and circumstances of the incident.
In response to the attack, police forces are conducting operations in the surrounding area to locate any secondary explosive devices that may pose additional threats to public safety.
This bombing marks another incident in a series of violent attacks that plague Nigeria’s troubled northern region. The country continues to grapple with numerous armed groups, including notorious factions like Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province. Since 2009, these groups have been responsible for the deaths of several thousand individuals and have displaced millions of people from their homes, according to data from the United Nations.
While no group has yet claimed responsibility for the recent attack in Maiduguri, the use of suicide bombers is a tactic frequently associated with Boko Haram. This Islamic militant organization has previously claimed several attacks of this nature throughout the northeastern part of Nigeria.
Analysts note that although the frequency of suicide bombings has decreased in recent years, Boko Haram still possesses the capability to execute such operations. A notable example of this was observed in July 2024, when a three-pronged suicide attack targeted a wedding ceremony in Borno, raising concerns about a possible resurgence in the militant group's use of suicide bombings.
The ongoing violence in northern Nigeria not only emphasizes the security challenges faced by the nation but also highlights the resilience of the armed groups operating in the region. The aftermath of such attacks inevitably contributes to the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting millions and poses serious questions about the effectiveness of current counter-terrorism strategies in place.
