By Reportcircle News
An otherwise calm evening of worship turned tragic on Tuesday as an explosion ripped through a mosque inside the bustling Gamboru Market in Maiduguri, killing four civilians and injuring dozens in an attack authorities have linked to a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber.
The blast occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on December 24, 2025, while Muslim faithful were observing evening prayers within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council area, sending shockwaves through one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs at the height of the yuletide season.
Preliminary investigations by Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) indicate that the explosion was caused by a suspected Boko Haram terrorist who detonated an improvised explosive device inside the mosque.
The attacker died instantly, alongside two civilians at the scene.
Emergency response was swift. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, other security agencies, the Borno State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), immediately secured and cordoned off the area to prevent secondary attacks and ensure public safety.
Victims were evacuated to the General Hospital and the Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri for urgent medical attention.
Hospital sources later confirmed that out of the 32 civilians who sustained varying degrees of injuries, two succumbed to their wounds, bringing the total death toll to four.
Two others remain in critical condition, while the remaining victims are reported to be stable and responding to treatment.
In the aftermath of the attack, security forces intensified patrols, surveillance and checkpoints across Maiduguri and surrounding communities, as authorities moved to prevent further incidents during the festive period.
Operation HADIN KAI urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, warning that heightened alertness is crucial as people gather for religious and social activities.
Members of the public were advised to be cautious in crowded areas, pay close attention in places of worship and promptly report any suspicious individuals or movements to the nearest security post.
The military task force also cautioned citizens to be observant of unusual behaviour, particularly among young persons loitering around sensitive locations.
In a statement signed by its Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Operation HADIN KAI expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the North-East.
The Gamboru Market attack is a grim reminder that, despite sustained military pressure on insurgent groups, the threat of asymmetric violence remains, even as communities seek moments of peace and reflection during the festive season.
