A suspected suicide bomber struck Al-Adum Juma’at mosque in Gomboru market, Maiduguri, killing 5 worshippers and injuring 35 during evening prayers. Borno Police and NEMA confirm the blast; investigations ongoing amid ongoing Boko Haram insurgency
Bombing at Maiduguri’s Al-Adum Juma’at Mosque: 5 Dead, 35 Injured in Gomboru Market Attack
Tragedy struck Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday evening when a suspected suicide bomber detonated explosives inside Al-Adum Juma’at mosque, located within the bustling Gomboru market, claiming the lives of five worshippers and wounding 35 others.
The attack occurred during evening prayers, catching many devotees off guard. According to Borno State Police spokesperson ASP Nahum Daso, police strongly suspect a suicide bomber was responsible. Investigators recovered remnants believed to be parts of a suicide vest, while eyewitness accounts further support the suicide bombing theory. Daso confirmed that five people died and 35 sustained injuries, with investigations still ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) corroborated the account, with its Borno and Yobe coordinator, Surajo Garba, telling Daily Trust that a young boy entered the mosque carrying the explosives.
Many of the injured were worshippers praying outside the mosque when flying debris and shattered glass rained down, causing widespread harm. Security personnel and emergency responders quickly secured the scene, evacuated victims, and provided immediate assistance. Victims were rushed to Maiduguri Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment.
A police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has since cordoned off the area to ensure public safety and facilitate further forensic examination.
Gomboru Market remains one of Maiduguri’s largest and most vibrant commercial hubs, drawing traders and shoppers from across Borno and neighboring countries including Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. The market hosts a diverse range of goods—from food items, textiles, and clothing to household products—and supports small-scale services such as tailoring, food vending, and transport. It frequently stays active late into the evening, often until 9:00 p.m., long after the official 6:00 p.m. closing time.
This latest attack is a grim reminder of the persistent threat posed by the Boko Haram insurgency, which entered its 16th year in 2025. Since the conflict began over a decade ago, suicide bombings targeting mosques, motor parks, and other public spaces in Maiduguri and other urban centers have become tragically recurrent. The insurgency has claimed more than 35,000 direct lives to date, leaving deep scars on communities across the northeast.
