Tragedy in Maiduguri: At Least Seven Killed in Christmas Eve Mosque Blast
By Lions Roar News World Desk
MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA (December 25, 2025) – A somber Christmas Day has dawned in northeast Nigeria following a devastating explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri during evening prayers on Wednesday. At least seven worshippers are confirmed dead after an improvised explosive device (IED) tore through a crowded prayer hall in the city’s Gamboru market district.
The attack, which occurred as the community gathered for the Maghrib prayer, marks a chilling return of violence to a city that had not seen a major insurgent strike in several years.
💥 The Attack: A “Suspected Bombing”
The blast occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, December 24. According to security sources and local militia leaders, the explosives were likely planted inside the mosque earlier in the day and detonated remotely or via a timer midway through the service.
The Casualty Toll:
- Confirmed Dead: 7 people (confirmed by militia leader Babakura Kolo).
- Injured: Dozens of others were rushed to local hospitals with “shrapnel wounds and severe burns.”
- Eyewitness Account: “I saw many victims being taken away for medical treatment,” resident Isa Musa Yusha’u told reporters. “The blast was so loud it shook the nearby market stalls.”
While official casualty counts are still being finalized, one mosque leader, Malam Abuna Yusuf, suggested the death toll could rise as high as eight as more victims succumb to their injuries in the hospital.
🔍 Investigation: Who Is Responsible?
While no group has yet claimed responsibility for the atrocity, suspicion has immediately fallen on Boko Haram or its offshoot, ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province). Both groups have a long and brutal history of targeting religious sites and crowded markets in the Borno State capital.
Security analysts suggest the timing—on the eve of a major global holiday—may have been a calculated attempt to spread fear and demonstrate that the insurgency remains a potent threat despite years of military offensives.
“Maiduguri has been relatively peaceful for some time, which makes this breach of security even more concerning,” said a regional security analyst. “Targeting worshippers during prayer is a hallmark of the JAS faction of Boko Haram.”
🇳🇿 Global Reaction & Safety
The international community has condemned the attack, with many calling it a “cowardly act” against civilians in a place of sanctuary. The Borno State Government has urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as security forces increase patrols around religious sites and public squares for the remainder of the holiday period.
