Massive explosion during prayers at crowded mosque kills 10, sparks fear of further violence
Borno (The Uttam Hindu): A powerful explosion rocked a mosque during evening prayers in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. According to local media, at least ten worshippers were killed in the blast. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, raising fears of renewed violence in the area, which has been experiencing violence for several years.
No armed group has yet claimed responsibility for the blast. Militia leader Babakura Kolo suspected a bomb blast. Officials said militants have previously targeted mosques and crowded areas in Maiduguri, using suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices.
According to eyewitnesses, the blast occurred inside a crowded mosque in the Gamboru Market area, where people had gathered for evening prayers. The sudden explosion caused panic, sending debris and smoke swirling, and people ran for cover. Kolo said initial investigations suggest the explosive was planted inside the mosque and detonated during prayers. However, some suggest the attack may have been carried out by a suicide bomber, but authorities have yet to confirm this.
Borno has long been a hotbed of violence by jihadist groups like Boko Haram and its affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province. While violence has persisted throughout the region, the city has not seen any major attacks in recent years. This incident is deeply concerning for both the public and security agencies. Boko Haram launched its insurgency in Borno State in 2009, with the stated aim of establishing an Islamic state. Despite continued operations in collaboration with the Nigerian military and neighboring countries, sporadic attacks in northeastern Nigeria remain a significant threat to civilians.
According to the United Nations, at least 40,000 people have died in this violence since 2009. Nearly two million people have been forced from their homes. The humanitarian impact of this conflict has been profound. Repeated violence has devastated many communities. Although attacks have decreased compared to the previous decade, the violence has spread beyond Nigeria's borders to neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, further exacerbating security challenges across the region. Now, there are fears that violence may flare up again in parts of northeastern Nigeria.