Maiduguri: Tragedy struck on Wednesday evening as a bomb exploded during Magrib prayers at a mosque in Gamborun Market, killing several worshippers and leaving many others injured.
DSP Nahum Daso, the police spokesman for the Borno Police Command, confirmed this in an interview with reporters.
Daso said the explosion was perpetrated by a suspected suicide bomber at 6:15 p.m. while some Muslim faithful were observing congregational prayers.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber who struck during Magrib prayers,” he said.
According to him, the blast killed some worshippers on the spot and left many others with varying degrees of injuries.
He said the injured victims were immediately evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
The spokesman stated that men from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and other security agencies were deployed to the scene to secure the area and rule out the presence of additional explosive devices.
Daso added that the area was cordoned off as a joint team of security agencies commenced a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or persons to security agencies.
Gamborun Market is one of the busiest commercial centres in Maiduguri and is usually crowded during evening prayers.
