Blast Hits Mosque During Evening Prayers in Nigeria’s Maiduguri

Post by : Saif Nasser

An explosion struck a mosque during evening prayers in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno state, on Wednesday, according to a witness. The blast caused panic among worshippers who had gathered peacefully for prayers. As of the latest reports, there was no official confirmation on the number of people injured or killed.

Maiduguri has been at the center of violence linked to Islamist insurgent groups for nearly two decades. The city has repeatedly faced attacks by Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province, also known as ISWAP. These groups have targeted civilians, places of worship, markets, and other crowded areas in the past.

Witnesses said the explosion happened suddenly while prayers were underway, sending shockwaves through the mosque. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, and injured people were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Images from a local hospital showed victims receiving medical care, though authorities have not released official casualty figures.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, similar attacks in Maiduguri have often been linked to militant groups operating in northeastern Nigeria. These groups have used suicide bombings and improvised explosive devices to spread fear and disrupt daily life.

Boko Haram began its uprising in Borno state in 2009, aiming to impose its strict version of Islamic rule. Since then, the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions to flee their homes. Despite repeated military operations by Nigerian forces and support from neighboring countries, the insurgency has not been fully defeated.

In recent years, security in Maiduguri has improved compared to the height of the conflict. Still, attacks like this one show that civilians remain at risk. Worship places, which should be safe spaces, continue to be targeted, deepening fear among residents.

Local authorities are expected to investigate the blast and increase security around religious and public sites. For many people in Maiduguri, the attack is a painful reminder that peace remains fragile and that the long fight against violence in northeastern Nigeria is far from over.