Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has condemned in the strongest terms the explosion that rocked a mosque in the Gamboru Market area of Maiduguri on Wednesday evening, describing it as “utterly condemnable, barbaric, and inhumane.” The blast, suspected to be a suicide attack, occurred during Maghrib prayers.
Three explosions by suspected Boko Haram insurgents rocked the city on Monday evening.
Unconfirmed reports revealed that the incidents happened near the Post Office area at the heart of the city’s Monday Market and at the main gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The incidents happened at about 7:15 p.m creating chaos in the area.
An amateur video trending online showed victims of the explosions being evacuated for medical attention to one of the hospitals in the state capital.
In a statement released by his administration, Governor Zulum emphasized the desecration of a place of worship during a time of devotion, particularly amid the festive season.
“Attacking a place of worship is a desecration of its sanctity at a time when Muslim faithful are performing acts of worship,” he said, extending condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.
The governor urged residents to remain calm while calling for heightened vigilance in mosques, churches, markets, and other public gatherings to prevent further incidents.
He assured the public that investigations are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible, and security measures have been ramped up across the state.
Police Confirm Explosions
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the incidents.
According to him, preliminary reports revealed the explosions happened at the Post Office area and the main entrance of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, but he had yet to confirm the one at the Monday market.
“Yes, there were reports of explosions at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital main gate and Post Office area, but the one at Monday Market, I have no information, but I will get back to you as soon as I have it,” Daso said.
He explained the number of casualties were still sketchy as the victims had been taken to different hospitals in the state capitals, adding that he did not have the records at the time of filing this report on Monday night.
But some residents in the area feared that the explosions might have claimed several lives and injured many others.
An AFP reporter at the hospital saw dozens of wounded people seeking treatment.
Idris Suleiman Gimba, who works with the National Blood Service Commission, said there was also a blast near the post office.
Earlier, suspected jihadists launched an overnight attack on a Nigerian military post on the outskirts of Maiduguri.
Maiduguri, a key northeastern city, had not seen such violence in years.
Another attack took place in the Damboa local government area, south of Maiduguri.
Fighters from Boko Haram and rival jihadist group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have recently stepped up attacks in the North-East.
Their 16-year insurgency has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced around two million.
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