Blast at mosque in Nigeria kills 5 and injures more than 30 in apparent suicide attack

Nigerian authorities are investigating a bomb attack that killed five people and injured 35 others during evening prayers at a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria on Wednesday.

Police spokesperson Nahum Daso said in a statement that evidence collected at the scene, including fragments of a suspected suicide vest, indicates the explosion was likely a suicide bombing. The attack occurred while worshippers had gathered for prayers, striking at a moment when the mosque would have been filled with civilians.

“Preliminary investigations suggest this was a suicide attack, based on the evidence recovered at the scene,” Daso said. Authorities have increased security presence across Maiduguri as the investigation continues.

The bombing marks a concerning development in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle against extremist violence in the country’s northeast. The region has been plagued by insurgency for over a decade, with armed groups including Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), carrying out attacks against civilian and military targets.

While no group has immediately claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack, the use of suicide bombers has historically been a tactic employed by Boko Haram. The group has carried out numerous suicide bombings at mosques, markets, and other public spaces across northeastern Nigeria since the insurgency began in 2009.

Security analysts note that while suicide attacks had decreased in frequency in recent years, this bombing follows a troubling incident in July 2024 when a coordinated triple suicide attack targeted a wedding ceremony in Borno State. That attack raised concerns among security experts about a potential resurgence in suicide bombing tactics by militant groups in the region.

“This pattern of targeting civilians during religious gatherings is particularly disturbing and represents a continued threat to public safety in the northeast,” said Ibrahim Musa, a security analyst who monitors extremist activities in the region. “It demonstrates that despite military gains, these groups retain operational capabilities to carry out high-profile attacks.”

The conflict in northeastern Nigeria has taken a devastating toll on the civilian population. According to United Nations estimates, the violence has killed several thousand people and displaced millions from their homes since 2009. The humanitarian crisis has been compounded by food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and disrupted education for children across the affected areas.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s administration has continued counterinsurgency operations initiated by previous governments, combining military offensives with rehabilitation programs for former fighters. However, the persistent attacks highlight the challenges facing security forces in completely eliminating the threat posed by extremist groups.

Regional cooperation has also been a key component of Nigeria’s security strategy, with joint military operations conducted alongside forces from neighboring countries including Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, which face similar security challenges from cross-border militant activities.

The Maiduguri attack comes as communities in northeastern Nigeria continue efforts to rebuild and recover from years of violence. Local leaders have called for increased security measures and greater government support for affected communities.

As investigations into the mosque bombing continue, residents of Maiduguri remain on high alert, with many expressing fears of potential follow-up attacks. Local authorities have urged citizens to report suspicious activities while reassuring the public that security agencies are working to prevent further incidents.