Boko Haram suicide bomber behind Borno mosque attack —Army

‎Maiduguri, Borno State — The Nigerian Army has confirmed that the explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri’s Gamboru Market area on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, was carried out by a suicide bomber linked to the Boko Haram insurgency, military authorities said.
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‎According to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai, preliminary investigations showed that a suspected Boko Haram operative detonated an improvised explosive device inside the Al-Adum Juma’at Mosque during the evening Maghrib prayer, killing himself and civilians at the scene.
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‎The blast, which occurred at approximately 6 p.m., caused widespread panic among worshippers and left multiple casualties. Security forces, including the Nigerian Army and the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, quickly cordoned off the area and worked with emergency responders to secure the site and prevent further harm.
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‎While initial reports varied on exact numbers, military officials confirmed victims were evacuated to hospitals in Maiduguri for urgent treatment. Earlier figures from responding agencies indicated at least five confirmed deaths and dozens of injuries, with some victims in critical condition.
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‎Following the attack, security agencies intensified patrols and sweeps of worship centres, markets, and other public places across Borno State to forestall further incidents during the festive period. Police and military commanders urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while cooperating with ongoing investigations.
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‎President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima condemned the attack as a “barbaric assault on innocent civilians,” directing security agencies to heighten surveillance and protective measures in the northeast.
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‎Borno State has long been a focal point of the Boko Haram insurgency, with Islamist militants targeting civilian populations and places of worship despite military gains in recent years. Investigations into the bombing remain ongoing.
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