A powerful explosion occurred at a mosque in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, during prayers, leaving at least 5 worshippers dead and over 35 injured. The blast took place when a large number of people were present inside the mosque.
According to international news agencies, a spokesperson for Borno State Police reported that suspicious fragments of a suicide vest were recovered from the scene, indicating that the explosion may have been a suicide attack. However, the exact nature of the blast has not yet been confirmed, and investigations are ongoing.
Rescue teams immediately transferred the injured to nearby hospitals, where 7 are in critical condition and 5 are in serious condition. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, although in the past, similar attacks in the region have been claimed by the extremist group Boko Haram or its splinter factions.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum strongly condemned the attack, calling it an act of brutality and inhumanity, and urged increased security at places of worship and public areas during festive occasions.
According to the United Nations, the insurgency in northeastern Nigeria since 2009 has killed thousands and displaced millions. Although there was a reduction in suicide attacks in recent years, extremist groups still have the capacity to carry out such operations.
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