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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
A suicide bomber detonated improvised explosive devices at Al-Adum Juma’at Mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, killing at least five worshippers and injuring 35 others during Maghrib prayers.
The Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Mohammed, told journalists the bomber sneaked into the mosque as worshippers gathered for sunset prayers.
“We had just completed the first raka’at of the Maghrib prayer when we heard a loud sound. We later realised it was a suicide bomber that caused the explosion,” the Imam disclosed.
Borno State Police Command confirmed five deaths and 35 injuries in a statement issued on Thursday by spokesman Nahum Kenneth Daso.
“The Commissioner of Police, Borno State, strongly condemns the bomb explosion recorded yesterday, 24/12/2025, at Al-Adum Juma’at Mosque, Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, which resulted in the loss of five persons and thirty-five persons injured,” the statement read. Preliminary investigations suggest a suicide bombing, with fragments of a suspected suicide vest recovered.
Community sources reported a higher toll, claiming 12 burials occurred on Thursday following Islamic rites, with additional deaths among the critically injured. A mosque security guard, Garba Abba Aji, confirmed five immediate deaths at the scene but noted subsequent fatalities raised the count.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, on tour in northern Borno, condemned the attack as barbaric and inhumane. He pledged enhanced partnership with military and security agencies to improve the state’s security situation.
