‎Blast hits mosque in Maiduguri during evening prayers

‎An explosion tore through a crowded mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of northeastern Nigeria’s Borno State, on Wednesday evening, December 24, 2025, as worshippers gathered for Maghrib (evening) prayers.
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‎Local sources quoted said at least seven people were killed, though authorities have not yet released an official casualty figure. Some witnesses described the blast as a suicide bombing, while others believe the explosive device may have been planted inside the mosque before it detonated.
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‎The mosque is located in the Gamboru market area, a busy district of Maiduguri where many traders, shoppers and residents attend prayers. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as emergency responders and market-goers rushed to help the wounded.
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‎Police and bomb-disposal teams were on the scene soon after the explosion. Authorities are investigating the cause, searching for additional devices and questioning witnesses, but have not yet confirmed who was behind the attack.
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‎Maiduguri has endured years of violence linked to Islamist insurgencies led by groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Although major attacks in the city have been rare in recent years, militants have previously targeted places of worship and crowded public areas with bombings and suicide attacks.
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‎No group has claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s explosion so far.