📰 What Happened
- Location: Gamboru Market area, Maiduguri, Borno State.
- Time: Around 6:00–6:10 pm, during Maghrib (evening) prayers.
- Casualties:
- Police confirmed 5 dead, 35 injured.
- Other sources reported 7–8 fatalities.
- Cause: Suspected suicide bombing or planted explosive device. Fragments of a suicide vest were reportedly found.
- Response: Security forces cordoned off the area; emergency responders evacuated victims.
⚠️ Context
- Maiduguri is the epicenter of Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency, though major attacks in the city have been rare in recent years.
- Mosques and crowded markets have historically been targeted by jihadist groups.
- The timing—Christmas Eve—heightened panic and symbolic impact.
📊 Conflicting Reports
| Source | Reported Deaths | Injuries | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police (ASP Nahum Daso) | 5 | 35 | Confirmed fragments of suicide vest |
| Guardian Nigeria | 7–8 | Not specified | Witnesses, militia leader |
| Arise TV | “Several” | Multiple | Eyewitness accounts |
| PM News | “Many feared dead” | Not specified | Preliminary reports |
🔎 Key Takeaways
- Casualty figures vary: official police count is lower than eyewitness estimates.
- No group has claimed responsibility, but suspicion falls on Boko Haram or ISWAP.
- Security tightened: area sealed off, investigation ongoing.
- Human impact: worshippers killed mid-prayer, families devastated, community shaken.
📚 References
- Sahara Reporters – Police confirm 5 dead, 35 injured
- Arise News – Several worshippers killed during evening prayers
- Guardian Nigeria – At least 7 killed, suspected bombing
- PM News – Christmas Eve tragedy, many feared dead
- Straits Times – Blast hits mosque during prayers
- Independent – 5 killed, 35 injured in apparent suicide attack
