Suicide bomber kills three in Maiduguri mosque attack

Abdullateef Fowewe

A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device at a mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, on Tuesday evening, December 24, 2025, claiming three lives amid heightened yuletide security concerns.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, confirmed the incident in a statement released Thursday.

The blast occurred around 6:00 p.m. while Muslim faithful were observing evening prayers.

“Preliminary findings indicated that the incident was caused by a suspected Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) suicide bomber, who detonated an improvised explosive device, killing himself and 2 civilians on the scene,” Uba stated.

Troops, alongside the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, other security agencies, Borno State Government, and NEMA, swiftly secured the area.

A total of 32 civilians suffered injuries of varying degrees; two later succumbed in hospital, with two more in critical condition.

The rest are stable and receiving care at Maiduguri’s General Hospital and Teaching Hospital.

Security forces have ramped up surveillance across Maiduguri and environs. Uba urged vigilance: “Members of the public are advised to remain calm and security conscious especially during the yuletide season be on the look out for teenagers with suspicious looks avoid crowded places and maintain extra vigilance at religious places, especially churches during the yuletide period.”

Operation HADIN KAI expressed condolences, “OPHK commiserates with the families of the deceased and assures the public of its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property.”